Magda Szubanski cancer: Beloved Kath & Kim star thanks fans for support after heartbreaking diagnosis
'Hello, my darlings, I just wanted to say a massive thank you for all the love and support — it's just been so moving and really youse are the wind beneath my wings,' she told her 296,000 followers on Instagram.
'Thank you very much, love youse all. Sorry I can't reply. It's pretty overwhelming, but I just feel so loved up.'
The beloved Australian comedian shared on social media on Thursday that she has been diagnosed with a fast-moving blood cancer.
'Lovelies. Well. Some not great news. I've been diagnosed with stage 4 Mantle Cell Lymphoma,' she wrote on Instagram.
'I won't sugar-coat it: it's rough. But I'm hopeful. I'm being lovingly cared for by friends and family, my medical team is brilliant, and I've never felt more held by the people around me.'
The Kath & Kim star confirmed that she has started one of the best treatments available and will be receiving world-class care in Melbourne.
'I'll be lying very low while my immune system takes a hammering, so if you see me out and about—don't hug me, kiss me, or breathe anywhere near me! Wave enthusiastically from a safe distance and know I love you madly,' she continued.
'This is an obscure cancer and was only discovered incidentally via a breast screen where they found my lymph nodes were up. TBH, I've been feeling pretty ratshit for ages. So I asked for extra bloods and - voila!
'For now, just know I'm in good hands, good spirits—but I reserve my yuman right to be a cranky old moll. Love you all, Mags'.
The comedy legend appeared on Fast Forward before her breakout role as the netball-loving Sharon Strezlecki in the iconic TV series Kath & Kim.
Szubanski appeared in Babe as Esme Hoggett in 1995, before reprising her role in the sequel Babe: Pig in the City in 1998.
She also dabbled in animation, voicing Miss Viola in the popular cartoons Happy Feet and Happy Feet Two.
Members of the Australian entertainment industry were quick to share their support and well wishes for an icon many have looked up to.
'Lots of love and support to you beautiful one,' fellow comedian Rove McManus commented on Szubanski's Instagram post.
Model and actress Megan Gale wrote, 'Sending an abundance of love, hugs and strength your way Magda.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News AU
40 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
‘We're excited to be home': Channel 10 unveils first look at Big Brother revival as reality franchise returns to Dreamworld with new host Mel Tracina
Channel 10 has offered the first glimpse of its upcoming Big Brother revival as the struggling free-to-air broadcaster attempts to rebuild its programming lineup following a wave of cancellations. The broadcaster has been left with gaping holes in its local programming after axing the long-running news program The Project and resting long-running staples like Thank God You're Here. On Sunday, Ten shared the first official look at the new Big Brother and confirmed production will shift back to its original home inside Dreamworld. 'Big Brother is back home on 10 and returning to its legendary Dreamworld setting on the Gold Coast,' the network said in a statement. 'The iconic social experiment that launched countless conversations, rivalries, friendships and of course, the bum dance, returns refreshed and ready to capture a whole new generation of fans while rekindling nostalgia for longtime viewers. 'Expect high stakes, unexpected alliances, and classic and heartwarming moments as Big Brother once again opens the doors to the Dreamworld house, setting the stage for another unforgettable season in Australian television history.' The series will be helmed by Channel 10 regular Mel Tracina, who currently serves as a 'cultural correspondent' for The Cheap Seats and a radio host on Nova. 'The Big Brother house is synonymous with Dreamworld, so bringing the OG format to its OG location feels right,' she said in a statement. 'We're excited to be home (and in a new house that hopefully comes with an air fryer).' Big Brother Australia first went to air on Network 10 in 2001 and became an instant ratings winner for the channel, often topping 1.4 million viewers nightly. The early seasons of the show, which were presented by the no-nonsense Gretel Kileen, made stars of several contestants, including Sara-Marie Fedele, Blair McDonough and Chrissie Swan. The show originally aired on Ten for a further eight seasons before being revived in 2012 by rival Channel 9 for another three seasons with Sonia Kruger as host. The franchise then moved over to Channel 7, who produced another five seasons with Kruger as host, but swapped the original shooting location for Sydney. Ten confirmed that the new revival will see the return of live evictions and live nominations after the most recent seasons on Seven were pre-recorded. Viewers will also be able to stream the house live via the Tenplay website. Ten has received a grant by the Queensland Government through Screen Queensland's Production Attraction Strategy in exchange for bringing the show back to the sunshine state. 'Endemol Shine Australia's Big Brother has been an important training ground for many local screen practitioners and this new iteration will employ 95 crew as well as supporting four paid attachment positions,' Jacqui Feeney, Screen Queensland CEO, said in a statement. 'They will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts in critical areas such as outside broadcasting, a skillset that will be in high demand as we head towards the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.'
7NEWS
42 minutes ago
- 7NEWS
Singer Ed Sheeran reveals disturbing truth about life in the spotlight
Singer Ed Sheeran has revealed how his extreme stardom continues to put his family in danger. The global superstar, who recently announced his 2026 Australian tour, revealed on Sunday that he's been forced to employ extensive security measures to protect his children from extreme fans. Sheeran shares daughter Lyra, four, and Jupiter, three, with Cherry Seaborn. 'It's things that people don't really even take into account,' Sheeran told 60 Minutes. 'Like kidnap threats and s**t like that. We've had attempted break-ins, things left on my car. 'It's way more sinister than just fans turning up and wanting selfies.' Sheeran is fiercely protective of his daughters and does not allow fans to take photos of them. 'I've had some real arguments before,' he said. 'I'm fine with taking pictures, but I just think it's weird with a four-year-old and a three-year-old.' But Sheeran accepts: 'To be within the public sphere, you have to take it all, the good and the bad.' 'We have a level of security that probably won't change until I pass away. That's just our life now.' The English singer-songwriter returns to Perth for the first Aussie leg of his Loop Tour in January 2026, marking his first national performances since 2023. Announcing 11 shows across Australia and New Zealand in the summer, the four-time Grammy winner will touch down in WA for a singular Optus Stadium performance on January 31. He will then head east for two shows in each of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, before concluding the all-new tour with a one-off performance in Adelaide on March 5. Sheeran's forthcoming project Play — his eighth studio album — is due for release on September 12, with tracks Old Phone, Azizam and Sapphire already released. The album signals the conclusion of his three-year, 168-show Mathematics Tour that breached Aussie shores in 2023. 'Starting a brand new tour next year called the LOOP tour. New stage, new tricks, new set up, new songs and all the classics added in,' Sheeran told fans upon the tour announcement. Sheeran has sold in excess of 2.5 million tickets in his previous jaunts through Australia and New Zealand. General tickets will go on sale from 5pm AEST July 29, with pre-sale for Telstra and Frontier members staggered from July 25.
Perth Now
42 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Political duo share surprise baby news
Melbourne Labor MP Josh Burns and Victorian Animal Justice councillor Georgie Purcell have announced that they're expecting a baby girl due in the new year. The political power couple shared the news in separate posts on social media on Sunday night. 'Georgie and I are so excited to share with you that we're expecting a baby girl in the very first few days of 2026,' Mr Burns wrote. This will be the Macnamara MP's second child, after daughter, Tia, from a former marriage. 'Our little baby already has the most excited and loving big sister in Tia. And she'll have a home full of animals, love, and fun,' he wrote. 'Next year, my team and I will keep working hard for the community we love, but I also plan on being a present and involved dad every step of the way. 'I'm over the moon excited and can't wait for this next chapter with my beautiful partner, Georgie, who I love with all my heart.' Melbourne Labor MP Josh Burns and Victorian Animal Justice councillor Georgie Purcell shared their baby news on Instagram. Credit: Supplied Mr Burns and Ms Purcell publicly announced their relationship during Canberra's Midwinter Ball in 2024, with the couple sharing opposing political views. Ms Purcell is a prominent pro-Palestinian activist, while Mr Burns has publicly spoken about his Jewish faith and is vocally pro-Israel. Ms Purcell said it would be a 'vegan pregnancy (and baby),' and said she's been 'feeling good' during the pregnancy. The couple's first baby together is due in the first few days of 2026. Instagram Credit: Supplied However, she said her auto-immune condition has categorised her pregnancy as 'high-risk,' and this has required weekly hospital visits. 'This is obviously a vegan pregnancy (and baby) and I've been feeling good, which has let me keep pace with sitting weeks, late nights, international travel, community events and the general silliness of this job,' she wrote on Instagram. 'It's weekly hospital visits for the time being, and I am so grateful to the incredibly kind, reassuring and supportive medical care I've been receiving.' She also acknowledged her past abortions, stating that she was 'more grateful than ever before to have had access to choice so that I could do this on my own terms and timeline, and will always fight for everybody to have the same'.
