Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli reveals 'helplessness' as he opens up on baby son's heartbreaking cancer fight

'Went to pieces': Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has opened up about the heartbreak of his son's diagnosis with cancer.
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Francesca Gillett21 November 2016

Celebrity chef Jean-Christophe Novelli has opened up to reveal his heartache over his 10-week-old son’s fight with cancer.

The multi-Michelin-star winner, 55, announced his baby son Valentino had been diagnosed with neuroblastoma – a rare type of cancer which mostly affects babies and young children.

The star chef has revealed how he and his fiancée Michelle “went to pieces” after finding in a lump in the little boy’s neck and have been left with feelings of helplessness.

Mr Novelli told the Sunday Mirror: "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."

Celebrity dads: Both Jean-Christophe Novelli and Michael Buble announced their sons had been diagnosed with cancer.
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The Hell’s Kitchen star also expressed support to Michael Buble, who revealed his three-year-old son Noah has also been diagnosed with cancer.

Father-of-four Mr Novelli said: “My heart goes out to the Bubles and any other family facing cancer.

Neuroblastoma grows in nerve cells left behind from when the baby develops in the womb and can spread to other parts of the body.

Symptoms include a lump in the neck - as in Valentino's case - as well as blue lumps in the skin and bruising, often around the eyes.

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