A CANCER sufferer is donating half his winnings from a stint on a BBC quiz show to the doctors who have “shown real humanity” during their care for him.

Dan Wilson, from Stanley Road, East Oxford, was diagnosed with thymoma cancer in his chest in 2009.

Since then the 36-year-old has had to undergo countless operations, chemotherapy and radiation treatments including having his right lung removed.

So when he and his 34-year-old brother Toby won the BBC1 show Pointless on December 3, Dan decided to give half his £3,250 prize to the cardiothoracic department of the John Radcliffe Hospital in Headington.

The pair showed impressive general knowledge in the quiz, hosted by Alexander Armstrong, in which the aim is to score as few points as possible by picking the least popular answers.

Mr Wilson said: “It was absolutely fantastic. We got such a thrill out of it and the audience was so supportive all the way through. We couldn’t believe it when we got the score down to zero.

“I wanted to thank the hospital staff because they have been absolutely fantastic all the way through, not just for their skills as doctors and nurses and carers but their kindness and care.

“They have shown real humanity. I feel really lucky to have been treated by them. They are so conscientious. I wanted to thank them for their ongoing support, because unfortunately this is not over. “I am so grateful to all of them – it has been a huge team effort because I have had so many complications.”

Before becoming ill, Mr Wilson worked as an interpreter in Italian, French and Spanish.

His donation will go towards improving the waiting room in the cardiothoracic intensive care ward, where dad Richard, mum Kate, and brothers Toby and Oliver spent many hours.

He added: “My family spent a lot of time there because it wasn’t always possible to see me straight away. It would be nicer for families and friends if it was a bit cheerier. My family have been amazing all the way through. I couldn’t have got through it without them.”

Mr Wilson’s dad Richard said: “It is my proudest achievement that my boys love and support one and other.”

A spokeswoman for the hospital thanked Mr Wilson and his brother for the donation.