John “Burgo” Burgess has shared an update on his wife Gianna’s battle with liver cancer, admitting they were initially told she “may not see March 2018”.
The much-loved host of Burgo’s Catch Phrase and Wheel Of Fortune, 74, first asked for support and prayers for Gianna in December last year.
She had previously battled breast cancer in 2014, but when she went for a routine check-up, doctors found an “aggressive” tumour in her liver, and she underwent “major surgery” shortly after Christmas.
Having kept relatively silent on her health battle ever since, Burgo finally updated fans on how she’s doing on her birthday.
“Good day today, celebrating my wife Gianna’s B’day, even more special seeing as we were told on the 9th of Dec she may not see March 2018,” he wrote. “Still recovering from op but getting stronger for the next step in a very long road which we are confident will lead to many more Birthdays.”
His Facebook post was flooded with support from fans, sending their well wishes to the family. One commented: “Happy Belated Birthday Wishes Jan. Sending you lots of positive and healing vibes. Xxx.”
Another added: “Good on you guys especially you Jan lots of respect and many more birthday celebrations.”
Burgo previously updated fans following Gianna’s surgery, reassuring them it had all gone well at the time. He said he was hopeful that the “job is done”.
The couple have been together for 35 years. The pair renewed their wedding vows in 2011, proving that they are still as in love now as they were when they first met.
The star previously revealed to Woman’s Day that she still gives him butterflies, saying: “Over the years, our love really hasn’t changed. I still look at her and my heart skips a beat….I really did hit the jackpot.”
Meanwhile, he went on to say this week that he’s now signed a “Living Will” with Gianna, agreeing to give her the power to “terminate his life”, should he ever be left relying on a life support machine.
He wrote in a separate post: “My wife talked me into making out one of those ‘Living Wills’. It’s a document that says if I ever become attached to a mechanical device, she has the right to terminate my life. So, yesterday, I’m on my exercise bike…”