Paddy Doherty Given 'The All Clear' After Successful Operation To Treat Prostate Cancer

Bareknuckle fighting legend Paddy Doherty has returned from six hour surgery to announce that he is clear of prostate cancer.

The 60-year-old has also opened up about saving the lives of other men who could be suffering from the disease.

Doherty said he had received hundreds of messages from men promising to get themselves checked.

As he recuperated last night at Manchester Royal Infirmary following the five-and-a-half hour operation, he told The Sun from his hospital bed: "When I came round on the operating table I thought, 'Thank God I'm alive'.

"And as the hours went by I got hundreds of messages from other travellers and members of the public saying they were now going to get checked out.

"They said, 'There's no prouder man than you Paddy, and if you can do it, anyone can'. That has meant the world to me. If I save one life then speaking about my own embarrassment and pain is a small price to pay."

"I've been fixed now and I'm cured. It's a very, very good morning to me - I had two operations yesterday and I feel better now I'm fixed. I'm back as a man.

"I thought it was 50/50 and waking up to say good morning, I give thanks and prayers to my God with all my heart and soul. It's a great day. Be lucky everyone, good morning, God bless."

Doherty, known for starring on My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, had only told his wife Rose Anne and his siblings about his diagnosis which he was living with for seven months.

He said: "It was my wife who suggested I could do some good by talking about prostate cancer. I wasn't keen because people like me don't talk about this sort of stuff. But it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.

"The pain is still pretty horrendous but the docs have told me I'm going to be fine. That's amazing in itself and I can never thank them enough.

"But the response from the public has also been overwhelming. I've never known anything like it."

Paddy is hoping to leave hospital today (Friday).