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Thomas Gottschalk Bids Farewell on RTL With Planned Mid-Show Exit After Cancer Disclosure

He now focuses on six months of recovery, hinting at a possible return with an 'I'll be back' post.

Overview

  • The 75-year-old left 'Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert' around 22:15 by prior arrangement to stage his goodbye during peak viewership and to avoid late-night cognitive side effects.
  • On air, he described his diagnosis as an epitheloid angiosarcoma, calling it very rare and very dangerous.
  • He detailed surgery removing part of his bladder and a ureter, said a thigh muscle was cut during the operation, and noted a course of 33 radiotherapy sessions with lingering 'brain fog.'
  • In an Instagram message, he thanked fans, said he will concentrate on recovery for the next six months, and signaled he may return, writing, "I'll be back."
  • RTL announced Giovanni Zarrella and Jana Ina Zarrella for the December 13 episode, with the format’s longer-term direction without the Gottschalk–Jauch–Schöneberger trio still unresolved.