Overview

Rachael Bland (21 January 1978 – 5 September 2018) was a Welsh journalist and television and radio presenter. She worked for regional and national BBC outlets and became widely known for candidly discussing her experience with breast cancer. Bland combined professional broadcasting with personal advocacy, bringing attention to life with a terminal diagnosis while helping to demystify cancer for many listeners and viewers.

Career and roles

Bland trained and worked in broadcast journalism, presenting news and features for regional television and national radio. Her roles included positions at BBC Radio and regional television journalism. Notable workplaces included BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC North West Tonight, where she presented and reported on a variety of subjects, from local stories to national features. Her approachable on‑air style made her a trusted voice for audiences in the UK.

Podcast: You, Me and the Big C

In 2018 Bland co‑created and co‑presented the podcast You, Me and the Big C, a series that addressed the realities of living with cancer in an open, often humorous way. The podcast mixed personal testimony, practical information and interviews, and was praised for making difficult subjects accessible. For more information about the programme and its aims see the podcast page: You, Me and the Big C.

Illness, final days and public response

Bland was diagnosed with breast cancer in late 2016. Over time the disease became incurable; she shared aspects of her treatment and prognosis publicly to help others facing similar challenges. On 3 September 2018 she posted on social media that she had only days left; that announcement was widely reported and re‑shared. The post appeared on her Twitter feed: Rachael Bland on Twitter. She died two days later, aged 40, at home in Cheshire, England: reports of her death.

Legacy and impact

Bland is remembered for combining professional broadcasting with candid personal testimony. Her willingness to discuss the emotional, logistical and medical realities of cancer inspired listeners and created wider public conversations about palliative care, patient experience and the role of humour in coping. The podcast she helped launch continued under the stewardship of her co‑hosts and has been cited as an important example of patient‑led media.

Quick facts

  • Born: 21 January 1978 (Wales).
  • Worked: BBC regional television and national radio, including BBC Radio 5 Live.
  • Known for: co‑hosting the podcast You, Me and the Big C (podcast).
  • Public illness timeline: diagnosed in 2016; announced terminal status publicly and died in September 2018 (aged 40).