Sir Tony Robinson, the veteran actor and presenter, has spoken out to correct a widespread misunderstanding regarding prostate cancer testing, drawing on his personal experience of living with the condition for 13 years. The 79-year-old, famous for his role as Baldrick in the BBC sitcom 'Blackadder', was diagnosed with prostate cancer around 2013 but made his diagnosis public in 2023 to raise awareness of the disease.
Robinson explained that a significant barrier preventing men from getting checked has been the outdated belief that a digital rectal examination (DRE) is the primary method of detection. He clarified this misconception during an appearance on the podcast 'A Night In With Sally Lindsay', stating, "doctors don’t use that check anymore." While the DRE was once a common practice, Robinson noted it is not highly effective on its own due to the prostate's small size. Today, diagnosis primarily relies on a Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test, often supplemented by a digital rectal examination and, in some instances, a biopsy.
Despite his active campaigning for prostate cancer awareness, Robinson admitted he only recently became aware of this shift in testing protocols himself. He emphasised the importance of informing men about these updated methods, particularly those who are deterred by the idea of a physical examination. He urged men to overcome such reservations, highlighting the critical importance of early detection, which he credits for his own positive prognosis. An average of 64,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year, and over 12,000 succumb to the disease, making it a leading cause of cancer-related deaths.
The issue of prostate cancer awareness has seen increased public attention recently, with several high-profile figures sharing their diagnoses. Last month, Jeremy Clarkson's revelation on 'Clarkson’s Farm' led to a significant fourfold increase in men seeking advice and checking their risk. Similarly, public announcements from King Charles regarding an enlarged prostate and David Cameron about his own diagnosis have previously resulted in notable spikes in visits to the NHS website. These instances underscore the powerful impact public figures can have in encouraging men to prioritise their health.
Robinson, who along with journalist Dermot Murnaghan expressed disappointment in 2025 over a national committee's decision against recommending universal prostate cancer screening for all men, continues to advocate for proactive measures. He has been collaborating with Prostate Cancer UK to encourage men to understand their risk and to dispel fears associated with testing. He stressed that while individual awareness is crucial, there is also a need for systemic changes to ensure men are not solely responsible for recognising the signs of a disease that is not widely discussed. He supports initiatives like the Transform trial by Prostate Cancer UK, which investigates combining PSA tests with other diagnostic tools, such as rapid MRI scans.