Richard Simmons, 75, announces skin cancer diagnosis as US fitness guru shares worrying symptom

Richard Simmons, 75, announces skin cancer diagnosis as US fitness guru shares worrying symptom

James Bond movies given trigger warning

Lauren Williams

By Lauren Williams


Published: 20/03/2024

- 16:52

Richard Simmons is an American Fitness personality who was widely known for his eccentric, flamboyant and energetic personality

Richard Simmons has revealed to his followers that he has recently been diagnosed with skin cancer in an emotional Facebook post.

Simmons recently discovered a “strange looking bump” under his right eye, which urged him to go and see his dermatologist.


Opening up about the tough time, he admitted he felt “a little nervous” after the doctor looked at his mysterious bump “through a magnifying mirror”.

In his statement, he added: “He told me he would have to scrape it and put it under the microscope. He comes back about 20 minutes later and says the C word. I asked him what kind of cancer. He said Basel Cell Carcinoma.”

Simmons was told he had to go and see the “cancer doctor right away” before being informed the procedure would involve his skin being “burned to remove the cancer cells.”

“There was no numbing it just had to be done with a small instrument. As he started burning my skin a tear dropped down my cheek. You can’t cry during this and he wiped my tear. The burning really hurt my skin. It lasted about 30 minutes.

Richard Simmons

Richard revealed he had to get rid of the cancer by burning his face

GETTY

After the procedure was done, he was told to return in an hour and a half to see if they “got it all out. After driving around the city, I went back to some sad news.

“I didn’t get it all out. He burned my face again. This time was worse than before… it was deeper. I did not cry this time but I did grit my teeth.”

Unfortunately for the eccentric star, it was third time lucky before the doctor managed to get all of the cancer out of his face.

“Before I left, he checked my arms, my back, my chest and my legs. I had a little Frankenstein under my right eye for a while. He gave me some cream to put on it which I did religiously. Because of his fine work, I don’t have a scar.”

Richard Simmons

Richard worried his fans when he posted a crypic post about dying

GETTY

He concluded: “I know some of you reading this have had cancer or have known someone in your life who has had cancer. Promise me you will see your doctor and get a complete checkup.”

The news comes just days after the star sparked fears he was dying, posting: “The truth is we are all dying.”

A representative assured fans that Simmons was alive and told the Daily Mail: “I can confirm with 100 per cent certainty that Richard is not dying.

“He’s, in fact, very healthy and happy. The sole purpose of the post was meant to be inspirational.”

Richard Simmons

Richard Simmons revealed he has skin cancer

GETTY

Reiterating the fact that he was alright, he penned on his X account: “Sorry many of you have gotten upset about my message today… I am not dying.

“It was a message about saying how we should embrace every day that we have. Sorry for this confusion. Love, Richard.”

You may like