Kev Coles was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in September 2024
A dad who was initially told he had constipation before he was diagnosed with bowel cancer has died.
Kev Coles, 46, was told he had stage four cancer in September last year following persistent stomach discomfort.
Despite having no typical signs of the illness, the former bouncer’s life changed when a nine-centimetre tumour was found in his bowels.
Although struck by the unexpected news, Kev—with the support of his family—maintained an optimistic outlook and started chemotherapy treatments in October. However, he tragically experienced liver failure on March 9 this year.
Kev, together with his wife, Kayleigh Coles, were then informed by doctors that he at most had months left to live.
But tragically, just days after his loved ones visited him in hospital, on March 12, Kev’s condition sharply declined.
The following morning, at around 10:30am, Kev, a cherished father of seven, died.
Grieving widow Kayleigh, aged 36, said: “It happened so incredibly quickly. It was devastating. We expected so much more time.
“I refused to let go of his hand until the funeral director came to get him. I just kept telling him how much I love him.
“It is almost like he knew. He organised getting our hands cast and his family over the day before he passed. I didn’t believe for a second that he wouldn’t be here anymore.
“Not only have I lost the best person in my life, but I know that the children have lost the best dad that they could have ever asked for. He has left a hole which is impossible to fill.”
Kayleigh said she had urged her husband to visit the doctor in July 2024 due to persistent pain, where she claims he was dismissed without a thorough examination.
Initially suspecting gallstones or a simple blockage like constipation, the couple repeatedly sought medical attention, only to be given laxatives and sent away.
Tragically, on August 22, Kev’s condition deteriorated rapidly as he began sweating profusely and his skin turned yellow—a sign of cancer spreading to his liver.
Following Kev’s death, Kayleigh lodged a formal complaint against their GP—who denied any wrongdoing—feeling betrayed by the NHS’s failure to take his symptoms seriously.
“If he was listened to then things might have been different, we might have had more time together,” she said.
“It’s not okay for someone to be sent away with laxatives after six weeks of pain.
“It is so frustrating that he was just written off. At the end of the day, they did let him down and I am going to fight to try and change things.”
Since sharing her story, Kayleigh has been contacted by numerous individuals who were moved by Kev’s ordeal to advocate for themselves more forcefully with their own GPs.
She remarked: “Kev would have been so happy to know that his story helped someone. He wanted more people to have a voice.”
Describing her late husband, Kev’s wife said he was very artistic and enjoyed drawing pictures for the family and writing poems, one of which was recited at his funeral on April 7.
The local cremation service for Kev, from Stoke, was described as “beautiful service” with attendees donning sunglasses in a nod to an inside joke shared between Kev and Kayleigh.
Funds amounting to £3,000 raised through a GoFundMe page contributed to over half of the funeral expenses and also provided some recliner chairs for Kev’s comfort during his final days.
The family, who did not have life insurance, expressed that the financial support from the fundraiser was immensely beneficial.
Kayleigh reminisced about how she and Kev, who met more than eight years ago at a train station, tied the knot in a modest ceremony in December 2024, both sporting Nike trainers, a testament to Kev’s humour.
She continued: “He genuinely was the funniest person I have ever met and probably will ever meet in my entire life.
“He wanted people around him to be happy and be laughing all the time. People just saw this 6’4 Viking looking man and wouldn’t have ever assumed he was a complete sweetie.
“I am so grateful to him for helping me to raise amazing kids. I see him in the children. I think that the only thing keeping me going is that I know he is still here because he has imprinted on them.
“They watched the strongest person they know go from being strong to needing help getting up from a chair.”
Ann-Marie Riley, chief nurse at University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM), extended her sympathies, stating: “We would like to offer our condolences to Mrs Coles and would encourage her to contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Team to raise any concerns regarding her husband’s care at UHNM so we can fully investigate these.”
Supporters are still able to contribute to the cause via the GoFundMe page set up for Kev, which remains active for donations to assist his family during this challenging time: