Outback Opal Hunters star Rod Manning reveals heartbreaking stage four bowel cancer battle

Australian reality TV star Rod Manning has been diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

The Outback Opal Hunters personality, who has appeared on the popular Discovery show since 2019, shared a heartbreaking clip to social media earlier this week in which he revealed the sad news.

'G'day viewers, not really sure how to start this but I owe it to you since a lot of you have been with me since day one. I have been diagnosed with cancer,' Rod began.

The 53-year-old then revealed that his health battle had forced him to cut back on opal mining, as he focused on his recovery. 

'I got stage four bowel cancer, it is in the lymph nodes, so I have not been able to do a lot of mining. I got a couple of real good mates who have jumped in to help me out... unfortunately, everything is breaking down,' he said. 

'I have not had a real good run at it. Hopefully things will turn around soon, as the doctors can just about replace everything that has broken down.' 

He added he had already started treatment and in his trademark larrikin-style managed to find the humour in the situation.

'I was pretty lucky. The chemo I am on doesn't make facial hair fall out!' Rod quipped. 

'However, the chemo and radiation hasn't been much fun, it knocks you round a fair bit.

'The odds they give me aren't fantastic but I have beaten better odds before so I am not that worried about it.' 

Rod's family have set up a GoFundMe page in which the community can donate money to offset the medical expenses, with a target of $90,000.

'The treatments have taken a heavy toll on him. Between the constant travel to and from the hospital, medical expenses, and the physical strain of treatment, it's impossible for him to keep carrying everything on his shoulders alone,' they wrote.

'Anyone who knows Dad knows he's a proud, hardworking man who would never ask for help himself. The Bushman's dream has always been built on hard work, determination, and a love for the outback lifestyle. 

'But right now, he needs a hand to get through the toughest fight of his life. So I'm asking on his behalf.'

At the time of writing, the page had already raised over $86,000 and was 97 per cent towards its target.

Premiering on the Discovery Channel in 2018, Outback Opal Hunters follows the fortunes of rugged miners chasing precious opals across some of Australia's harshest and most remote regions - from New South Wales and Queensland to South Australia and Western Australia.

Produced by Prospero Productions, the high-stakes factual series has become a global television hit, airing in more than 100 countries including the UK and US.

The series scored a Best Documentary Series nomination at the 2018 Screen Producers Australia Awards and has since cemented itself as one of Australia's biggest factual television success stories on the global stage.