…been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNET), stage III, according to an official statement issued this morning by her medical team at a leading London hospital.
The 67-year-old television icon, known worldwide as “The Governess” for her razor-sharp intellect and unflinching command on ITV’s The Chase, had initially sought medical attention in late January 2026 after experiencing persistent abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss beyond the 30lbs she had already lost in 2025, and increasing fatigue during filming. What doctors first believed to be a complication related to her previously disclosed prediabetes quickly escalated into a series of urgent scans and biopsies.
“The results came back earlier this week and were shared with Anne and her immediate family yesterday evening,” the hospital spokesperson said in a carefully worded release. “The tumor is located in the tail of the pancreas and has already spread to several nearby lymph nodes and the liver. Surgery is not currently viable due to the extent of metastasis. The medical team has commenced an aggressive course of targeted therapy combined with peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT), a treatment Anne has personally approved and is determined to pursue with full commitment.”
Anne Hegerty herself released a short, handwritten note via her longtime manager this morning:
“I’ve spent fifteen years outsmarting the brightest contestants on television. Now I’m facing the toughest questionmaster of all. I’m not giving up, I’m not hiding, and I’m certainly not going quietly. Thank you for every message, every prayer, every bit of love you’ve sent. It means more than I can say. Keep watching The Chase — I’ll be back on that set as soon as I can. — Anne”
Social media erupted within minutes of the announcement. The hashtag #StayStrongGoverness shot to the top of UK and international trending lists. Fellow Chasers Bradley Walsh, Mark Labbett (“The Beast”), Shaun Wallace, Paul Sinha, Jenny Ryan (“The Vixen”), and Darragh Ennis posted emotional tributes. Bradley Walsh wrote simply: “She’s the strongest person I know. We’re all with you, Anne. Every single step.” Jenny Ryan added: “The chaser who never lets anyone pass is now being chased by something unfair. We will not let it win.”
Celebrities from across the entertainment world also weighed in. Stephen Fry called her “one of the kindest, most brilliant minds British television has ever produced.” Susanna Reid of Good Morning Britain shared: “Anne has been part of our mornings and evenings for so long — she feels like family. Sending every ounce of strength we have.”
Fan pages, many of which had earlier circulated exaggerated or misleading posts about her prediabetes, now shifted to genuine outpourings of support. Thousands shared memories of how her quick wit helped them through difficult evenings, how she inspired them to read more, learn more, or simply laugh at their own wrong answers. One viral thread on X (formerly Twitter) collected over 12,000 replies of people posting the exact question they remembered her answering correctly — everything from obscure historical dates to chemistry formulae to 1980s pop lyrics.
Medical experts appearing on breakfast television this morning explained that pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, while rarer than the more common exocrine pancreatic adenocarcinoma, can be highly unpredictable. When caught early they are often treatable, but stage III with liver involvement carries a more guarded prognosis. However, modern targeted therapies and PRRT have dramatically improved outcomes for many patients compared to even five years ago.
ITV issued a brief statement confirming that production on the current series of The Chase will continue uninterrupted, with Anne’s episodes already in the can for the next several months. The network also confirmed that the much-anticipated spin-off The Chase Around The World, due to begin filming in May 2026, remains on schedule for now, though “all decisions regarding Anne’s participation will be made in consultation with her doctors and her wishes.”
Anne’s partner, former journalist Katie, was seen arriving at the hospital shortly after the statement was released, accompanied by close friends. Sources close to the family say Anne is in good spirits despite the gravity of the diagnosis, spending much of her time reading, watching old episodes of quiz shows, and — characteristically — correcting the factual errors made by news anchors discussing her condition.
The outpouring has not been limited to the UK. In the United States, Australia, New Zealand, and across Europe — wherever The Chase airs in its various international versions — fans have lit virtual candles, started fundraising pages for pancreatic cancer research, and shared playlists of Anne’s most memorable moments on the show.
As the day progresses, one thing is clear: the woman who has spent more than a decade making millions feel intellectually small has, in her moment of vulnerability, reminded the world how large one person’s impact can be.
We will continue to update this story as more information becomes available. For now, the message from Anne’s fans is unanimous:
Get well soon, Governess. The quiz isn’t over yet.