Big Fat Gypsy Weddings star Paddy Doherty, 60, reveals he is battling prostate cancer and even considered suicide because of the pain Doherty, 60, was diagnosed seven months ago and has been in pain ever since Course of steroid treatment didn't work so he will soon undergo two operations His son David, 33, was jailed for armed robbery and nephew, 32, died last year By Lara Keay For Mailonline Published: 07:50 GMT, 11 March 2019 | Updated: 07:50 GMT, 11 March 2019 Viewcomments My Big Fat Gypsy wedding star Paddy Doherty has revealed he is battling prostate cancer and has been in agonising pain ever since his diagnosis. The former bareknuckle fighter, 60, was given the devastating news by doctors seven months ago. After steroid treatment failed to contain the disease, the reality TV star now faces two make-or-break operations. Doherty was left devastated after his 32-year-old nephew Mikey Connors died in a horror car crash in July last year. He faced further heartbreak when his son David, 33, was jailed for seven years for an armed raid on a family home. Speaking of his illness, he told The Sun yesterday: 'I've been to hell and back with this and it's worse than getting a horrendous beating. 'The pain got so bad that I actually thought about taking my own life on two occasions.' Star of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Paddy Doherty (pictured at his nephew Mikey's funeral last summer) has revealed he is battling prostate cancer Doherty has kept his condition a secret, only telling his wife, brothers and sister. He told the newspaper his wife encouraged him to share his story to inspire other men to get checked out. Paddy is pictured at the funeral of his mother Queenie in Cobham, Surrey The 60-year-old, who is based at a caravan park in north Wales, said diseases like cancer are often taboo among traveller men. He added that going to the toilet was 'excruciating' and he wouldn't inflict that level of pain on his worst enemy. When he started passing blood he knew it was time to seek help, he said. Asking doctors whether they thought he was going to die, they told him they had 'got it in time'. The TV hard man said hospital treatment has been extremely distressing for him, as he is terrified of needles. He said: 'I would be screaming and my grandchildren could hear me - that is so embarrassing and demeaning for me.' Doherty will soon have two operations at the Manchester Royal Infirmary, one to remove his prostate and another to make up for excess blood loss. He added: 'This has definitely been the biggest battle of my life but it's one ill determined to win.' Doherty was reduced to tears as he said goodbye to his young nephew Mikey Connors last July. After steroid treatment failed to contain the disease, the reality TV star (pictured at home in north Wales) now faces two make-or-break operations at a hospital in Manchester His funeral was held at St Michael's Church in Ashtead, Surrey before he was laid to rest at a cemetery in Epsom Downs nearly a month after he died in the car accident in Thamesmead, South East London. A life-sized jockey, horse and cart made out of flowers were the centrepiece of the funeral after he was struck by a vehicle while driving a horse and cart on the A2016 Eastern Way on July 28. He faced more heartbreak in 2017 when another boxer nephew David, 17, was killed by a car just two weeks after passing his driving test. The gypsy leader won Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 and gained a massive following after starring in the Channel 4 documentary My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding. He is wearing a man-shaped prostate cancer pin badge, championed by Sky Sports's Jeff Sterling, to help raise awareness of the disease. The reality star is pictured wiping tears away as his bids farewell to his nephew Mikey in Surrey last year Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility