A MAN fighting cancer who could become the first in the world to trial a new drug quite literally became the star of the show after simply going to watch a play.

Tim Strugnell, 73, lives on the Braiswick Estate, in Colchester, and was diagnosed with prostate cancer in April 2021 before being told he had just months to live.

Determined to exceed his doctor’s expectations and to live his life the full, Tim booked to go and see Vamos Theatre’s Dead Good at the Mercury Theatre.

The show, which follows two aging community group attendees who embark on one final, death-defying adventure, paints a positive picture of the end of life.

Gazette:

Despite the parallels with his own situation, Tim found it to be “brilliant theatre and totally uplifting”, but during the after show Q&A events took a surreal turn.

“The cast were asked about bucket lists and I then said the top of my list would be to appear on stage with Vamos,” he added.

“As we left the auditorium, I was told the cast wanted to invite me to take on one of the characters in the last show of their tour in Wolverhampton.

“I could hardly believe my luck.”

Ahead of his Arena Theatre performance, Tim was sent a script and a short film detailing the character he would be playing: a terminally ill football supporter.

Following a quick rehearsal and some last minute preparations, Tim pulled on his mask and appeared in front of a packed crowd, ticking off his bucket list wish.

He said: “Naturally I felt nervous but after about ten minutes I was wheeled in to take my part - everything went perfectly thank goodness.”

Gazette:

Tim has since undergone several tests to see if he can trial a new vaccine to combat his cancer – and he could become the first in the world to receive it if he does.

“This is turning out to be an unbelievable year for me,” he added.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the Vamos Theatre team for making me so welcome and for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime - it was one of the best days of my life.

“I’m still dealing with cancer at the moment but life fulfilling experiences like this only reinforce my desire to fight it and to enjoy all my adventures in the future.

“Whatever happens, I’m going to go happy.”