A Hey Hey It’s Saturday star has been diagnosed with the same type of cancer as co-star John Blackman and iconic singer John Farnham.
Wilbur Wilde, who played saxophone in the show’s house band, revealed on Monday that he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma following a routine dental check.
The 69-year-old musician has subsequently had part of his tongue and mouth removed.
‘It was a shock,’ he told the Herald Sun.
‘I can’t say I was scared… I just try to deal with things on their merits and not coping was not an option for me.
Wilbur revealed his dentist first spotted the suspicious discolouration in his mouth in 2022.
Wilbur Wilde (pictured) revealed on Monday that he was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma following a routine dental check
The musician worked on Hey Hey It’s Saturday hosted by Daryl Somers. (Pictured)
After it failed to disappear, a biopsy was ordered and a week later the results came back revealing it was cancer.
He underwent surgery in early 2023 to have a third of his tongue and the floor of his mouth removed.
Elsewhere in the chat, Wilbur said he was concerned that the procedure would impact his ability to talk and play his instrument.
‘The first morning after the procedure, when [my doctor came to check] I looked at him and I said, “You are very good, I can still pronounce anaesthesiologist”.’
Wilbur said he has been told he is ‘cancer clear’ and his speech rehabilitation is going well.
It comes after Wilde played a key role in the funeral of his friend and Hey Hey It’s Saturday co-star John Blackman back in 2024.
Blackman died at the age of 76 in June last year, following a harrowing battle with cancer and surgery to remove his jaw.
‘I am honoured to have been asked by Cecile and Tiffany (Blackman’s wife and daughter) to be the celebrant at my old mate’s send-off,’ he said at the time.
The 69-year-old musician has subsequently had part of his tongue and mouth removed
‘He was a father figure, a hero, a comedy doctor, an attitude coach and a dear friend,’ he added.
‘I have said it before, but no Blackers, no Hey Hey. He turned a kids show into a very enjoyable adult show. He blazed that trail for everybody else.
‘It was still a great kids show but the adults could watch it as well because he would come in with his one liners. He was better than cheeky.’
Meanwhile, Wilbur still regularly plays gigs after rising to fame in the 1980s.
