In a deeply emotional interview, Gyles Brandreth, the beloved This Morning star, has shared the shocking story of his baby grandson, Kitt’s battle with cancer. The heartfelt revelation comes ahead of World Cancer Day and offers a glimpse into a family’s courage during one of the toughest trials imaginable.
A Family’s Worst Nightmare
It was 2017 when Gyles’ daughter, Saethryd, and her husband, Mark, first noticed something was wrong with their baby boy. A small, pea-shaped lump near Kitt’s stomach raised red flags. Initially dismissed as a harmless cyst or hernia by their GP, further tests revealed the terrifying truth: Kitt had rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft tissue cancer that strikes fewer than 60 children in the UK every year.
Gyles’ son had cancer at 15 months (Credit: ITV)
At just 15 months old, Kitt was diagnosed with this devastating disease, and what followed was nothing short of a nightmare for the family. The shock of the diagnosis was unimaginable for Gyles, who shared, “We think of cancer as something that happens to unlucky middle-aged people. We never imagined it could strike a child—especially our Kitt.”
A Harrowing Journey of Treatment
Kitt’s battle began at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where he underwent intense chemotherapy. His tiny body was subjected to unimaginable treatments, leading to hair loss and several life-threatening conditions, including a bacterial infection that impacted his heart and liver. Gyles spoke about the emotional toll it took on the family, saying, “It was a shock to the system. You never think this could happen to a child you love so much.”
Despite the overwhelming odds, the family clung to hope, finding solace in the world-class care provided by the staff at GOSH. Gyles recalls, “The team at GOSH were incredible. From the consultants to the nurses, they never made us feel alone. It was a deeply moving experience, and we couldn’t have asked for better care.”
Gyles’ grandson was treated at GOSH (Credit: ITV)
Grandfather’s Role in the Healing Process
While Kitt’s parents focused on his care, Gyles took on a different but equally crucial role—offering a sense of normalcy. “What’s so remarkable about Great Ormond Street is that they never forget children are still children. Kitt and I spent hours in the playroom, doing jigsaw puzzles and building things together. I would teach him funny poems, and we would laugh together. It was a small way to bring some light into such a dark time.”
The path wasn’t easy. Kitt also faced the added complication of veno-occlusive disease—a potentially fatal condition caused by the chemotherapy. But the family’s strength and the remarkable medical care eventually triumphed, and Kitt was declared cancer-free in November 2017.
A Miracle in the Making
Today, Kitt is a vibrant 10-year-old boy, having been in remission for eight years. He still visits GOSH for annual check-ups, but his story stands as a testament to the power of love, resilience, and cutting-edge medical care. Gyles, ever the proud grandfather, shared, “Every year that goes by, I’m reminded of how lucky we are. Kitt is doing wonderfully, and our family will forever be grateful to GOSH for their unwavering support during the toughest time of our lives.”
This remarkable journey of hope and survival serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of family, faith, and the miracles that can happen when you least expect them.
