Malcolm Offord diagnosed with prostate cancer on day of Holyrood election

Malcom Offord has revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer just hours before he was elected as an MSP.  

The leader of Reform UK in Scotland told an audience at the Edinburgh Fringe with Matt Forde that he had an operation last week to remove his prostate.

He said he is "feeling pretty good" and is now recovering.  

On stage, Forde asked about a hospital wristband Offord was wearing.  

Offord said: "I had a procedure last Wednesday to remove my prostate, so I am now clear.

"I went in yesterday to get the catheter bag removed, and I was told to keep the band on for 24 hours, but I am feeling pretty good, so I think I will take it off at the end of the show."

He said being diagnosed on the day of the election was the "weirdest thing".  

Offord was asked if having cancer was more painful than being an MSP and dealing with First Minister's Questions.  

He said: "The prostate is out and gone, and I can move on, but I still have five more years of FMQs.

"It is routine – I am 61, and it happens in a lot of men my age.

"But the good news is that medics are all over this; they know how to fix it.

"There is plenty of life after, so you need to get checked – every male in the room knows they need to get checked."