‘What a year’: Barry Du Bois reflects on year following cancer battle

He’s the Living Room star Australians love and Barry Du Bois has reflected on the year that was with a heartfelt Instagram post.

The father-of-two used New Year’s Eve to look back at his 2018 – which evidently contained many ups and downs. Using Instagram’s Top Nine feature, which pulls together the most popular posts from the year, the 58-year-old shared both his good and bad memories.

“These are the photos you guys liked the most this year & what a year it has been,” he wrote. “Started off in treatment fighting cancer again, I missed it but my beautiful angels started school.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BsB4daElZ9I/

Fans will recall Barry missed seeing his two children, Bennett and Arabella, off to school because he was undergoing treatment for cancer. It’s a tradition for most parents to take their little ones to school on the first day, but Barry’s treatment meant he wasn’t able to be there for Bennett and Arabella’s big day.

“An incredibly proud day with my beautiful babies starting school, bitterly disappointed I can not be with them this morning but I guess everyday I am in this hospital is a day closer to it all being over,” he said to his fans at the time. “Thank you all for your support, I can’t be prouder and still think I am the luckiest bloke in the world. I am also sending love & strength to all the mums & dads that have little ones heading off to school today.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ben_Gl5law1/?hl=en&taken-by=baz_dubois

He recalled writing a book with Miguel Maestre and highlighted his triumphant return to The Living Room after temporarily leaving because of his cancer diagnosis. His role on the show also earned him a Logie in 2018.

In March, despite admitting he looked “a bit frail”, Barry returned to the popular Channel 10 show. He’d initially informed fans in 2017 that he’d been diagnosed with plasmacytoma myeloma and was undergoing extreme treatment to try and beat the disease, forcing him to take some time off from filming.

It was the second time he’d been diagnosed with cancer, with several tumours returning to his body two years ago. As he was welcomed back on to the sofa with hugs from his fellow presenters, he said: “The four of us back together, the strength it’s given me already is amazing…”

To all those who have shared their stories with us, @Baz_DuBois is sharing his love and says to stay strong ❤️ #TheLivingRoom pic.twitter.com/OBTapW6TFb

— The Living Room (@livingroomtv) March 30, 2018

Barry sported a shaved head for his first appearance back on the show, having lost his hair during his chemotherapy. He flashed a huge smile on screen — insisting the “love and prayers” he’d received along the way helped him battle through.

In his personal life, he celebrated his 20-year anniversary with Leonie Tobler and took a much-needed family holiday to Disneyland with his family.

Read more: Barry Du Bois takes break from cancer treatment for fun family holiday

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In August, he told fans it was important to create happy memories for his twins and flew his entire family to California for some fun in the sun.

In one photo shared on Instagram, he stood alongside wife Leonie as the kids hitched piggyback rides from their parents to explore the magic of Disneyland.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmPLOHCFaDz/?taken-by=baz_dubois

“Ultimate family fun, loving our holiday in Disneyland and have memories forever,” he said at the time.

He posted another photo of little Bennett having the time of his life on a merry-go-round, writing: “Life is all about banking beautiful memories and Disneyland is the place to do it.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/BmL8gijFutg/?taken-by=baz_dubois

Despite all he’s been through, Barry remained optimistic about his year.

“Wow what a year it has been, thank you so much for all your love and support,” he told fans. “Be safe tonight and we will see you in #2019.”

Fans were quick to praise Barry for staying brave during the tough moments of 2018.

One person said: “Happy New Year to you and your family may 2019 be kinder than the last. You as a family have shown strength, courage and resilience, a true inspiration for all. Bless you.”

Another comment read: “We are so glad to have you back on our screens Barry. Wishing you and yours a 2019 filed with good health and happiness.”

A third added: “You’re an inspiration Barry. The support of family and true friends is important. Enjoy life and don’t waste a day.”

Read more: ‘I look a bit frail’: Barry Du Bois’ brave TV return amid cancer battle

Do you have a message for Barry? Do you know someone who has been through cancer?