‘One man’s hero’: Outpouring of support as Sir Chris Hoy reveals terminal cancer | UK news

There has been an outpouring of support for Sir Chris Hoy after the great Olympian revealed his cancer is terminal and he has between two and four years to live.

A number of sports and entertainment stars responded to his latest Instagram post in which he said he was “overwhelmed by all the love”.

Cycling legend Sir Mark Cavendish called him a ‘human hero’, while former footballer and Scotland pundit Ally McCoist posted: ‘You my friend are a superstar in every way of the word. Love and strength from all of us.”

There were also messages of support from Olympic and Paralympic champions Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Dame Sarah Storey, as well as TV personalities Jack Whitehall and Paddy McGuinness.

“Chris Hoy he is one of the best who have ever represented our country. Thoughts with him, Sarra and his immediate family,” British rowing great Sir Matthew Pinsent told X.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer added his voice to the well wishes, posting: “Such sad news. Chris is a British sporting legend.

“To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring. The whole country is behind him and his family.”

That sentiment was echoed by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who told Sky News’ Trevor Phillips he was “appalled” by the “optimism and positivity” Sir Chris is showing in such a difficult situation.

Mr Chris revealed in February that he was being treated for cancerbut he told the Sunday Times today he has terminal prostate cancer and has known it for over a year.

The six-time Olympic champion said the disease was now incurable and had spread to his bones, with tumors in his shoulder, pelvis, hip, spine and ribs.

“As unnatural as it sounds, that’s nature. You know, we’re all born and we all die, and that’s just part of the process,” he told the newspaper.

“Remind yourself, I’m not lucky there’s any medication I can take that will prevent this for as long as possible.”

Sir Chris said a tumor was initially found in his shoulder last year and a follow-up scan revealed the primary cancer it was in his prostate.

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and most cases develop in people aged 50 and over. Some cases can be cured if treated in the early stages.

The 48-year-old Scotsman is married with two children, aged seven and 10, and his wife Sarra also has significant health problems.

Sir Chris said he was diagnosed with “very active and aggressive” multiple sclerosis just a month or so after learning of his stage four cancer.

The former Olympian was part of the BBC’s coverage of Paris 2024 in the summer and is now with the broadcaster at the track cycling world championships.

Posting a photo with the team, she said: “You might see some articles on the news this weekend about my health, so I just wanted to make sure I’m feeling fit and strong and positive and overwhelmed by everything. “love. and the support shown to my family and me.”

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Sir Chris is an 11-time world champion with six Olympians gold and one silver medals in three different games: Athens, Beijing and London in 2012.

He retired in 2013 and has since been a regular TV pundit as well as competing in motoring events, including the famous Le Mans 24 race in 2016.