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Jean-Christophe Novelli opens up about his baby son's cancer diagnosis: 'Why him and not me?'

TV chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has bravely opened up about his 10-week-old son’s cancer battle, with little Valentino recently being diagnosed with neuroblastoma, a rare cancer of the nervous system.

Understandably, both Jean-Christophe and his fiancee, Michelle, have been left absolutely devastated by the news, but they have spoken out in a new interview and donated their fee to the paediatric oncology ward at Addenbrooke’s Hospital.

Copyright: Sunday Mirror
Copyright: Sunday Mirror

Speaking to the Sunday Mirror, the couple revealed that they feared the worst after discovering a lump in Valentino’s neck, with Jean-Christophe explaining: “There have been nights when I have sat alone, crying, asking God why this has happened to my little boy and not to me. I wish I could change places with him.

“Valentino is so tiny. You feel utterly helpless.”

Just a few days after discovering the lump, it doubled in size and the parents were left terrified when Valentino almost stopped breathing during an MRI scan, with doctors confirming that the lump was a cancerous tumour.

Jean-Christophe is a popular TV chef. Copyright: Rex
Jean-Christophe is a popular TV chef. Copyright: Rex

They were then dealt another blow when surgeons told them that they couldn’t remove the tumour because it was twisted around Valentino’s vital nerves, however, the couple have since been informed that doctors are confident that they can successfully treat their baby with chemotherapy.

Michelle shared: “I haven’t asked what Valentino’s chances of survival are… I don’t want to consider that there is even a small chance he’ll die.

“These last few weeks have changed us. Being on a children’s cancer ward has made me realise we’re actually lucky because we have some hope. Others aren’t so fortunate. We count our blessings every day.”

Speaking about the MRI scan, she added: “The MRI scan was awful. Valentino was choking and his chest was rising and falling as if he was being repeatedly punched.

Copyright: Sunday Mirror
Copyright: Sunday Mirror

“Jean was with our older boys [the couple also have sons Jean, 8, and Jacques, 4, together] doing the school run so I was alone and I became hysterical. It seemed like an eternity before they got him under control again and I was on the phone to Jean-Christophe in tears.

“I think Valentino sensed something was wrong. Seeing me upset seemed to make him cry, too. That’s when I knew I had to be strong. It’s so hard but I’ve barely shed another tear since.”

Jean-Christophe also revealed that he can’t bring himself to break the tragic news to his elderly parents, who still live in France.

 Jean-Christophe with his oldest sons, Jean and Jacques. Copyright: Instagram
Jean-Christophe with his oldest sons, Jean and Jacques. Copyright: Instagram

He explained: “I can’t – it would kill them. They have photos of Valentino all over the house but they have not yet met him. Thankfully, they don’t use the internet.”

Tragically, a third of Neuroblastoma sufferers will not live to five years old as it has the lowest survival rates of all childhood cancers.

Thankfully, Valentino’s cancer has not spread, which gives him about an 83% survival rate.

Our thoughts are with Jean-Christophe and his family at this incredibly difficult time.