Need to know
The BBC will recognise Chris Hoy during a special segment in Thursday's Sports Personality of the Year awards after the Olympic cycling legend and his wife were hit by tragic health news
19:00, 18 Dec 2025Updated 21:14, 18 Dec 2025
Sir Chris Hoy will be honoured by the BBC during Thursday's Sports Personality of the Year awards(Image: PA)
Everything you need to know
- Initial Shock and Diagnosis: Sir Chris Hoy originally sought medical help for what he believed was a simple gym injury in his shoulder and ribs. He described the moment he was told it was Stage 4 prostate cancer in September 2023 as the "biggest shock of his life."
- Terminal Prognosis: Further scans revealed the primary cancer was in his prostate but had already spread to his bones, making it terminal. Doctors informed the six-time Olympic champion he had an estimated two to four years left to live.
- Physical Toll on the Body: The cancer has caused significant damage, with tumours found in his pelvis, hip, ribs and spine. Chris revealed the cancer "burrowed" so deeply into his vertebrae that it actually caused his spine to fracture.
- Double Health Blow: Just weeks after learning his own news, Chris’s wife, Sarra, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of multiple sclerosis. Hoy described this period as a "living nightmare," feeling like the family had been given a final "kick in the teeth."
- Sarra’s Strength and Outlook: Despite her own life-changing diagnosis, Chris has repeatedly praised Sarra as an "incredible human being" who remains full of positivity. Sarra explained she focuses on what she can control, refusing to let the family become "victims" of their circumstances.
- Talking to the Children: The couple faced the agonising task of explaining their health struggles to their young children, Chloe and Callum. Chris told the children they could help by giving him cuddles and being kind to one another when he is not feeling well.
- Children’s Fears and Questions: Sarra shared that the children were initially scared and asked heart-breaking questions, such as whether their father was going to die. She noted it is common for children to wonder if they caused the illness, so she works to make the medical journey an "evolving" part of their lives.
- Living for the Present: Chris has said his diagnosis has, in some ways, "improved his life" by forcing him to focus on the here and now. He now finds genuine joy in "mundane fun" and says the illness is no longer the first thing on his mind each morning.
- Advocacy for Screening: Sir Chris is using his platform to campaign for better prostate cancer screening, particularly for men over 45 with a family history. He expressed frustration that the current system is "outdated" and relies on individuals to proactively seek out tests.
- The "Hoy Effect": Following his announcement, the NHS reported a massive sevenfold increase in people seeking advice on prostate cancer symptoms. Chris said he is "deeply moved" that sharing his story has prompted thousands of men to take potentially life-saving action.
- Leg Break Setback: Even while battling terminal cancer, Hoy continues to cycle and recently suffered his "worst-ever" crash on a mountain bike. He broke his leg but remains remarkably upbeat, saying he wants to "make hay while the sun shines."
- A Legacy of Resilience: Chris believes he is "lucky" to have the time to say goodbye to his loved ones and appreciate the life he has lived. He and Sarra are determined to keep "cracking on" and hope their story acts as an inspiration to other families in similar situations.
- READ THE FULL STORY: Brave Sir Chris Hoy's life-changing terminal cancer battle as tumours broke his spine