Lexy Thornberry, a past participant of Love Island Australia, has revealed a concerning health update, announcing to her fans, ‘I am 24 years old, and I have been diagnosed with cancer’.
Thornberry, who was featured in the third season of the show’s Australian version, disclosed the heartbreaking news on Monday. She did so with several Instagram posts documenting her hospital treatments and her efforts to lead a normal life following the shocking diagnosis.
The pilates instructor shared, “No, sadly I’m not joking,” as she explained that the cancer was found in her head and neck.
In one video, she revealed that she would soon begin chemotherapy, while showing off her healthy, long hair, sadly noting its beauty and how she never fully appreciated it before her diagnosis. “Let’s see how it survives,” she said with apprehension.
In her Instagram message, the 2021 reality TV personality expressed her initial disbelief that anything could be seriously wrong. She told her 64,000 followers: “I couldn’t stop laughing that they put me in a robe for my X-ray – I thought it was so dramatic. A couple days later I was diagnosed with head & neck cancer.”
As a health and fitness influencer, Thornberry experiences a complete upheaval in her life due to this news.
“I have always been a healthy person, and was an athlete my entire life. I’m a Pilates instructor and I teach people how to live healthy lives,” she stated.
The star suggested she was revealing the cancer diagnosis after enduring several challenging weeks of hospital visits and consultations. She remarked: “There’s nothing I did wrong and nothing that could have prevented it. It’s just the luck of the draw.”
Thornberry shared her health journey through 20 videos and photos, offering some insight into the past few weeks for her and her fiancé, New Zealand boxer David Nyika.
Despite some light-hearted moments in hospital attire, the images capture the intense stress and challenges from the diagnosis, with various pictures showing both Nyika and Thornberry grappling with their new reality.
Yet, amid the grim cancer diagnosis, the couple stands united, determined not to let it hinder their lives.
“The day I was diagnosed I made Dave swear that he would continue to fight and that this will not take over our lives together,” Thornberry shared.
The couple intends to continue with their wedding plans over the next year, with one post displaying a note indicating their wedding plans for 2026, with specific date details omitted.
“I will beat cancer in 2026 and get married to Dave on X/X/2026,” the note read.
The Love Island alum, 24, assured her followers of her resolve, stating that the cancer ‘is something I will FIGHT’, with Nyika committed to supporting her through the forthcoming challenges.
However, after sharing this update, Thornberry requested some privacy from the public.
She said: “I am starting treatment and ask people to respect my privacy during this extremely difficult time. This is all I’m willing to share at the moment and ask everybody to keep their questions to themselves.”