BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri reveals she has incurable cancer – but says gruelling treatment ‘better than dying’

BBC News presenter Maryam Moshiri has heartbreakingly revealed she has incurable blood cancer after undergoing gruelling treatment for nearly two years. The 49-year-old mum-of-three was diagnosed with polycythaemia vera (PV) – a rare condition in which bone marrow produces too many red blood cells. The rare condition causes the blood to become unusually thick and can lead to potentially deadly blood clots, heart attacks and strokes if left untreated. There is currently no cure, but the condition can typically be managed as a chronic illness. The popular presenter, who became a worldwide viral hit after accidentally giving the middle finger to the camera, told The Times the treatment “is better than dying”. She added that the disease and its treatment is “something that you have to get your head around”. READ MORE: UK News The presenter first discovered she had the condition after undergoing a blood test linked to the menopause. She was then having more than a pint of blood taken from her body every month to reduce the concentration of red blood cells. The treatment left her feeling sick and exhausted. Yet shortly afterwards, she was flown to Rome to cover the death of the Pope and the ensuing conclave. Most read in Showbiz Moshiri said she worked 14-hour days while battling chronic fatigue and constantly being on air. “I was working 14-hour days, constantly on air, constantly having to think on my feet, and holding it together, despite the fact that I had this chronic tiredness and fatigue,” she said. But she insisted she did not want her diagnosis to interfere with her career. Maryam said: “A big part of this disease is having to get on with life.” After returning from Rome, she began immunotherapy treatment with interferon at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London. The drug reduced the amount of blood she needed to have drawn but brought debilitating side effects. Moshiri suffered insomnia and headaches, as well as such intense itching that she would scratch herself until she drew blood. She also opened up about the impact her illness had on her three children, Iris, 13, Vivienne, 11, and Caspian, nine. “During my worst times when I was going through really quite gruelling treatment, I wasn’t there for my kids,” she added. “I’d be lying on the sofa, and my son would say, ‘mummy, can you come play football with me in the garden?’ And you just can’t. You’re too tired.” Her children’s first question when she told them about the diagnosis was whether she was going to die. Moshiri later switched to a different drug which brought more manageable side effects. But she said she has had to adjust to a new lifestyle dominated by hospital appointments and medication. She is now backing Blood Cancer UK’s Here for This campaign, which highlights the moments people living with blood cancer can miss because of their condition. Moshiri is a popular presenter with BBC viewers and known for her colourful personality. In December 2023 she accidentally gave the middle finger to the camera during a live news broadcast. She later explained that the gesture was part of a private joke with crew and apologised after the extended clip was broadcast live. The presenter has had several other on-air mishaps, including imitating a seagull, bending a spoon while discussing a man crushing a frying pan, and jogging on the spot during a segment about daily step counts.