Eddie Nestor (second right) with football legend John Barnes (left); wife, Lisa, and actor David Harewood. - Contributed

FORMER CASUALTY star Eddie Nestor has had more than his fair share of drama over the last year.

The talented performer has had notable success as an actor, stand-up comedian, TV and radio presenter. But his life changed when he was diagnosed as having Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Born on June 5, 1964, and raised in Hackney, east London, Eddie is best known for his starring roles in The Real McCoy and Desmonds, as well as a small part in the film, Trainspotting.

Eddie formed a hilarious partnership with fellow actor/ comedian Robbie Gee. Gee, another respected British actor, is best known for his Desmond's character Lee Graham. He also appeared in Guy Ritchie's crime caper, Snatch, and the movie, Mean Machine.

Eddie currently co-presents BBC London 94.9 FM's show 'Drive-time' with Kath Melandri'. He was voted 'Speech Broadcaster of the Year' at the Sony Radio Academy Awards 2007, which confirmed his outstanding broadcast skills.

Eddie received the shocking news that he had Hodgkin's disease in February 2007. After his cancer diagnosis, he kept a blog of his treatment and reactions, and his frankness touched thousands of hearts.

One blog entry read: "I used to think I was tough and that crying was a weakness. Now, I see it as a release. I suppose that is what must be hard for my wife to come to terms with. I am determined to make this post as positive as I can whilst being as true as I can to how I am feeling."

Eddie told his friend of 30 years, The Voice's Rodney Hinds, what life has been like over the last 12 months.

"This time was the scariest of my life. After being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease, I spent six months wondering whether I would live or die.

It was tough, but luck, friends, family and ignorance pulled me through. I had my last dose of chemo on September 28, 2007, and (touch wood), I am now officially in remission. I was lucky, they caught it early and that can make all the difference when dealing with cancer.

Speaking engagement

"Recently, I was invited by the African-Caribbean Leukaemia Trust to the House of Commons with health-care professionals, charity workers, fellow cancer sufferers, MPs Sadiq Khan and Dawn Butler, and the legend that is Sir Trevor MacDonald, for Ethnic Minority Cancer Awareness Week.

"I started telling them all sorts of things about accessing the NHS and how good it was that we had an awareness week, highlighting deficiencies in the health service for cancer sufferers of colour.

"Black men are three times more likely than our white counterparts to suffer from prostate cancer, and there is evidence that black women are developing breast cancer two decades earlier than whites.

Wife's nagging

"My speech seemed to go well, but one thing above all seemed to get health-care professionals nodding.

"It was when I told them that the annoying lump at the top of my thigh would have received no attention at all if it were not for my wife. I mean my wife's nagging.

That is because I am typical of many black men who believe mistakenly that the doctor's waiting room is a place for women and children.

"Cancer will affect one in three of us, and so it is something to be taken very seriously. In my experience, women are quite good at going to the doctor when things are not right.

"So my message to the guys out there, particularly those approaching 40, is go and get checked out.

Enjoying life

"The prostate test isn't all that pleasant, but trust me when I tell you it is a hell of a lot better than the alternative.

"As for me, I am happy and enjoying life, I have put on three stone and anybody who says anything about me being fat looks embarrassed when I tell them I am on medication.

"A lie, but it's worth it for the look on their faces!"

Nestor