You don’t expect to hear marathon talk from someone who couldn’t sit up in a hospital bed 18 months earlier. But that’s exactly where Adele Roberts found herself in 2021, recovering from bowel cancer surgery with a temporary stoma bag she named Audrey. Her journey from diagnosis to a Guinness World Record has turned into one of the most visible public conversations about life with a stoma bag — and what it really means to fight cancer.
Diagnosis date: 2021 · Cancer type: Bowel cancer · Stoma bag nickname: Audrey · Guinness World Record: Fastest marathon with a stoma bag · Age at diagnosis: 42
Quick snapshot
- British broadcaster and DJ
- Born 9 March 1979 – age 46 in 2025
- Known for BBC Radio 1
- Diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in 2021 (Runner’s World)
- Underwent surgery and chemotherapy (Runner’s World)
- Had a temporary stoma bag named Audrey (Runner’s World)
- Set Guinness World Record for fastest marathon with a stoma bag (Runner’s World)
- Named stoma bag Audrey (Runner’s World)
- Advocate for stoma bag awareness (Runner’s World)
- Engaged to Kate Holderness
- Lives in the UK
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Adele Claire Roberts |
| Profession | Broadcaster, reality TV personality, DJ |
| Known for | BBC Radio 1, Big Brother, Guinness World Record marathon (Runner’s World) |
| Cancer type | Bowel cancer (stage 2) |
| Stoma bag | Temporary stoma bag named Audrey |
Six facts about Roberts’ life and health, one takeaway: her public identity is now inseparable from her cancer fight and the stoma bag she turned into a symbol of resilience.
What stage of cancer did Adele Roberts have?
Stage of bowel cancer explained
- Adele Roberts was diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer in 2021 (Runner’s World).
- Stage 2 means the tumour had grown into the outer layers of the bowel wall but had not yet spread to lymph nodes or distant organs.
Two facts, one pattern: stage 2 bowel cancer is still considered local and treatable, which aligns with Roberts’ positive outcome after surgery and chemo.
Adele Roberts diagnosis details
- Roberts began using a stoma bag in 2021 after surgery for bowel cancer (Runner’s World).
- She underwent chemotherapy less than a year before setting her marathon record (YouTube (official BBC Radio 1 clip)).
The implication: even with intensive treatment, Roberts maintained a fitness level that most people without cancer would struggle to achieve.
What is Adele Roberts famous for?
BBC Radio 1 career
- Roberts is a British broadcaster and DJ best known for her work at BBC Radio 1.
- She also appeared on reality TV shows including Big Brother.
Guinness World Record marathon
- Roberts set a Guinness World Record for the fastest marathon with a stoma bag at the 2023 TCS London Marathon (YouTube (official BBC Radio 1 clip)).
- She completed the 26.2 miles in 3 hours, 30 minutes, and 22 seconds (Runner’s World).
Why this matters: her time is competitive for any recreational runner, but doing it while managing a stoma bag and recovering from chemotherapy rewrote expectations of what cancer survivors can do.
Roberts’ marathon record isn’t just a personal achievement – it’s a public proof point that ostomy bags don’t mean an end to athletic ambition. For the estimated 1 in 500 people in the UK living with a stoma, her example challenges old assumptions.
Does Adele Roberts still have a stoma bag?
What is a stoma bag?
- A stoma bag (colostomy bag) is a pouch attached to an opening in the abdomen to collect waste after bowel surgery.
- It can be temporary or permanent depending on the type of surgery and healing progress.
Adele Roberts stoma named Audrey
- Roberts named her temporary stoma bag Audrey (Runner’s World).
- She ran the London Marathon while still wearing the stoma bag.
Stoma reversal surgery
- After her marathon record, Roberts underwent surgery to reverse the stoma bag (the exact date is not publicly confirmed).
- She continues to advocate for stoma awareness and openly discusses her experience.
The trade-off: temporary stomas are common for bowel cancer patients, but Roberts’ decision to run a marathon before reversal shows the adaptability and strength that many ostomates discover.
For patients facing a temporary stoma, seeing Roberts run 26.2 miles with Audrey provides a concrete, relatable image of what’s possible. It reduces fear and stigma at a moment when emotional support is critical.
The pattern: Adele Roberts used her stoma bag as a platform to demonstrate that a temporary ostomy does not preclude high-level athletic achievement, and that reversal can follow once treatment is complete.
Does Adele Roberts have a partner?
Roberts is engaged to Kate Holderness. The couple live together in the UK. Roberts was previously married to a man; that relationship ended before her cancer diagnosis.
Related: Martin Kemp: Illness, Wife, Net Worth, and Friendship Insights
How long can you live after bowel cancer?
Bowel cancer survival rates
- For stage 2 bowel cancer, the 5-year survival rate is approximately 85%, meaning 85% of people live at least 5 years after diagnosis.
- Early detection and treatment significantly improve outcomes.
Roberts, diagnosed at stage 2, received surgery and chemotherapy and is now cancer-free. Her active lifestyle and advocacy work underscore that many patients go on to live full, healthy lives.
Timeline: Adele Roberts’ cancer and marathon journey
- 2021 – Diagnosed with stage 2 bowel cancer; surgery leads to temporary stoma bag (Audrey).
- 2022 – Undergoes chemotherapy.
- 2023 – Sets Guinness World Record for fastest marathon with a stoma bag at the TCS London Marathon (3:30:22).
- 2024/2025 – Stoma reversed; continues broadcasting and advocacy.
Confirmed facts vs. What’s unclear
Confirmed facts
- Stage 2 bowel cancer diagnosed 2021 (Runner’s World)
- Had temporary stoma bag named Audrey (Runner’s World)
- Set Guinness World Record for marathon with stoma bag (Runner’s World)
- Engaged to Kate Holderness
What’s unclear
- Exact date of stoma reversal surgery
- Current relationship status with ex-husband
The takeaway: The confirmed facts outnumber the unclear ones, giving readers a solid foundation for understanding Roberts’ journey.
Quotes
“Up yours, cancer.”
– Adele Roberts, after completing the 2023 London Marathon (Runner’s World)
“I wanted to show that life with a stoma bag doesn’t stop.”
– Adele Roberts, reflecting on her marathon achievement
Joshua Averill, a father with a stoma bag due to Crohn’s disease, said Roberts inspired him to take on the London Marathon. He finished in under four hours but did not beat her record (The Mirror).
For the thousands of people in the UK who receive a stoma each year, the choice is clear: either hide the bag or follow Roberts’ lead and turn it into a conversation starter. Her example proves that a stoma doesn’t define your capacity – your determination does.
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Her experience echoes similar stories like other celebrity stoma journeys that highlight life with a stoma after bowel cancer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a colostomy bag?
A colostomy bag is a pouch attached to the abdomen to collect faeces after part of the bowel is removed or bypassed. It is used when the bowel cannot function normally.
Can you exercise with a stoma bag?
Yes – many people with stoma bags run, swim, and lift weights. Adele Roberts ran a marathon with hers, showing that high-level exercise is possible.
Is bowel cancer curable?
Bowel cancer is highly treatable, especially when caught early. Stage 2 has a 5-year survival rate of about 85%. Roberts is currently cancer-free.
What are the early signs of bowel cancer?
Common signs include blood in stool, persistent changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue. Anyone with these symptoms should see a doctor.
How is a stoma bag attached?
Surgery creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen. The bag is placed over the stoma and secured with adhesive. It is changed regularly.
Can you smell a colostomy bag?
Modern bags are designed to be odour-proof. With proper fitting and care, there is usually no smell. Some people use deodorising drops.
What celebrities have a stoma bag?
Adele Roberts is the most prominent example. Others include actor Rob Delaney (who has a stoma after a cancer scare) and several athletes.
Does a stoma bag affect life expectancy?
A stoma bag itself does not reduce life expectancy. It allows the body to heal after surgery, and many people live normal lifespans.
Related: King Charles Cancer Diagnosis: Health, Succession & Family Facts
Arthur Oliver Howard Fletcher is a staff writer for NationalReport.uk, covering UK national news, politics, the economy and public services. He works under Editor-in-Chief Andreas Christodoulou and UK Managing Editor Rebecca Morgan, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.