Princess Diana’s butler Paul Burrell announces ‘life-changing’ cancer diagnosis

Paul Burrell, a former servant to Queen Elizabeth II and butler to Princess Diana, has revealed he is currently being treated for prostate cancer.

Emerging on Lorraine this morning, the 64-year-old revealed how the treatment for his cancer is affecting his emotional well-being.

“I’m tired because I’m on hormone therapy right now and it kind of robs me of my testosterone,” he said.

“My beard isn’t growing like it should, I’m tired, I’m emotional, I get hot flashes.”

Burrell explained his diagnosis: “Over the summer I had to go to the doctor for a TV show I was doing and I had a full MOT. This resulted in a surprisingly high PSA test [a chemical released by the prostate gland]. I had no idea what a PSA test was.”

He continued, “So I went to my GP, he said, ‘This is unusual,’ and he examined me and sent me for an MRI scan. And of course the MRI scan was the window they looked through and saw a shadow on my prostate.”

Following his diagnosis, Paul shared that he was on an “emotional” and “educational” rollercoaster ride.

He added: “Doing a biopsy yourself and finding the cancer, wrapping Christmas presents this year and thinking, ‘Will I be here next year? I have to tell my boys.’”

Burrell revealed that he traveled to the United States during the holiday and told his sons.

“They sat down with me and held me and said, ‘Dad, we need to spend more time with you,'” he said.

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Burrell noted that he aims to raise awareness about prostate cancer and encourage all men to get screened. “You realize there are thousands of men like me who haven’t had symptoms, I didn’t realize what happened and it might be too late,” he said.

“So my message is: I was lucky, I was really lucky that they caught it at the beginning. Men out there can go to their GP and ask for a PSA test, men over 50 and especially if you have a family history.”

“I don’t think men are particularly good at going to the doctor. So if you love her, shove her out the door and get checked out.”

Paul later shared that he would have his first surgery on February 27th and would be documenting his trip to Lorraine.

During the interview, the former butler also opened up about being “confused” by the release of Prince Harry’s recent memoir, Spare.

“[Harry’s] knew me as “Paul” all his life. He knew how much I loved his mother and protected her memory, he knows all that.”

“Why did he call me ‘Mama’s Butler?’ Why couldn’t he ask, come to me in person and say he’s not happy with the situation?”

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV1 and ITVX.