Russell T Davies, the screenwriter known for Doctor Who and It's a Sin, has spoken about his late husband Andrew Smith's decision not to be told his life expectancy following a brain tumour diagnosis. Smith was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, a malignant brain tumour, in 2010.
Davies described Smith's death in September 2018 as his "greatest loss." He shared that a nurse confirmed it was acceptable for Smith not to know his prognosis, as long as a close individual, which was Davies, was aware. Davies was told Smith had an initial prognosis of 18 months, a period he exceeded by living for eight more years.
The couple had been together for 20 years and married in 2012. Davies thanked Marie Curie nurses for their support during the final weeks of Smith's life, noting that Smith died at home holding hands with Davies and his sister.
Davies is set to publish a memoir, The Queerest of Folk, later this year, which will cover his career.