The UK’s top UFO expert Nick Pope has been diagnosed with Stage 4 oesophageal cancer.
The former Ministry of Defence (MoD) official was at the helm of what was dubbed Britain’s “UFO Desk” for three years from 1991 to 1994, and Pope worked on some of the most high-profile sightings and cases, including investigating the case file on The Rendlesham UFO incident that occurred in 1980.
Nick, 61, has used his X account to inform the world that he has been told by doctors he has a cancer that cannot be beat.
In a post to his 135,000 X followers, he wrote: “A while ago, following some digestive issues, I was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. Unfortunately, it’s Stage 4 and has metastasized to my liver. While I know that it’s kindness and hope that leads people to suggest healers and supposed miracle cures, and to say things like ‘fight it’, and ‘you can beat it’, I’m afraid my diagnosis and my situation leaves no doubt whatsoever: I can’t beat it.
“What an amazing adventure I’ve had! A 21-year career at the UK Ministry of Defence, where I got involved in subjects ranging from financial policy to counter-terrorism; from military policing to UAP. And I saved six cows; it’s a long story! The things I’ve done; the places I’ve been; the people I’ve met; and the secrets I’ve been privy to. I wouldn’t have swapped it for the world. And then a second career, where my previous government UAP role brought me to the attention of the world’s media, leading me to become a regular commentator on TV news shows and documentaries, as well as consulting and acting as spokesperson on various UFO and alien-themed movies, TV series and video games. The media called me the real Fox Mulder!”
Pope went on to pay tribute to his “wonderful” and “incredibly smart wife” Elizabeth, who he described as the “real-life Agent Scully” to his Fox Mulder, the two FBI Special Agents who investigate cases involving paranormal phenomena in TV series The X-Files.
His post continued: “The true highlight, of course, is life with my wonderful, beautiful and incredibly smart wife, Elizabeth. She’s a real-life Agent Scully: a scientist, a skeptic and a redhead. We met randomly in the lobby bar of the Fairmont Hotel in downtown San José (she was an anthropology professor at San José State University) in October 2010 and got married 3 months later. We applied successfully for my Green Card and she had me shipped over and imported to the U.S., where a new adventure began, as Elizabeth and I enjoyed wildlife watching at our wonderful home in Tucson, desert hikes, film noir, true crime, country music, Sunday lunches with my in-laws, and much more besides. Recently, we had an amazing one-year adventure in New York City, living 5 minutes from Times Square, and having a wonderful view of the Empire State Building from our apartment window.
“We proofread each other’s books and articles (I love commas, hyphens and exclamation points way more than Elizabeth, and managed to win at least a few of those battles), and I’m supporting her in her ongoing fight for free speech, academic freedom, and keeping political correctness, superstition and identity politics out of science and academia. The White House Press Secretary Tweeted one of her recent newspaper articles, which shows the huge impact she’s having.”
Due to his cancer diagnosis, Nick will now no longer continue with his media appearances to discuss UFO phenomena, nor will he appear at any live events.
He intends to spend his remaining days with his family and loved ones.
Pope said: “I kept working for as long as I could (right up until last week), with my various film/TV interviews, conference appearances, and live events, including my position as moderator of Ancient Aliens Live – where I think I did 94 shows. Sadly, the time has come where I’ve had to step away from this work.
“A lot of people have followed my work on UAP. I’m loath to use the word ‘fans’, because I’m not a celebrity. But I am a public figure, and many people have followed me on my journey as I’ve sought to keep the UAP subject in the public eye, and to frame it as a defense, national security and safety of flight issue – as well as a fascinating science problem. Some of this work has been public knowledge, but some such work, of necessity, has been done behind the scenes. I hope I’ve helped move the needle forward. But most people, of course, know me through my media interviews and live events. To everyone who’s followed me on my journey, thank you – and good luck with your own journeys. I wish you every success and happiness.
“It’s all been amazing, and I’m grateful for the things I’ve done, not mournful for the things that I won’t now get to do.
“Per Aspera Ad Astra!”
Nick previously admitted his work on the Rendlesham Forest incident “keeps me up at night”.
The Rendlesham UFO incident – which has been dubbed “The British Roswell” – occurred in the woodlands of Suffolk, England, on 26 December 1980.
The events occurred just outside RAF Woodbridge, which was used at the time by the United States Air Force, and military personnel went to investigate “lights” in the surrounding forest and were faced with a metallic, glowing craft.
United States Air Force deputy base commander Lieutenant Colonel Charles I. Halt even went on record to say he’d witnessed a UFO.
The incident became headline news in the UK and books, and last year filmmaker and ufologist Mark Christopher Lee released his documentary film The Rendlesham UFO – The British Roswell.
Discussing his own investigation into the incident, Nick told The Sun: “During my posting, I undertook a cold case review. I didn’t solve the mystery, but I focused on the radiation levels at the landing site.
“They were ‘significantly higher than the average background’ – and that’s a direct quote from a scientific intelligence report.
“I was concerned about this, as some witnesses got very close to the object and one touched it.
“So, 46 years after the event, the sightings remain unexplained.”