Tonsil Cancer Survivor & Hallmark Star John Reardon, 50, Returns To All-New Season of ‘Hudson & Rex’ With ‘Clean Bill Of Health’

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“Reunited and ready. John Reardon returns as Charlie Hudson in an all-new season of #HudsonAndRex, coming this Fall on Citytv or stream it on Citytv+,” Citytv captioned their Instagram post,

According to TV Insider, Reardon said in a statement, “I’m excited to step back into the role of Charlie as Hudson and Rex moves into its next chapter.

“The series has earned a passionate audience around the world, and I’m grateful for the continued support. I’m looking forward to beginning production on the new season with the cast, crew, creative team, production, and network partners — and to sharing more adventures with Rex and the fans.”

The season will start filming in St. John’s, Newfoundland, this summer.

One fan, commenting on Citytv’s Instagram post, celebrated by saying, “Thank God. He’s back. I stopped watching when he left. I’ll be back. I’m a big fan of John.”

Another commented, “Watching this reel on repeat because it makes me super happy button.”

“John Reardon you have made a lot of your fans extremely happy. You have made my year. … You are a very special human being and wonderful actor!” a third fan commented.

A fourth fan wrote, “Yessss! @city_tv THANK YOU for bringing @johnny_reardon_ back @hudsonandrex can’t wait for the new season. Congratulations to everyone. You have made your fan base EXTREMELY HAPPY.”

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We’re glad to see Reardon, known for his roles in the Hallmark films, “Believe in Christmas,” “The Christmas Secret,” and “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” back to working “Hudson & Rex, a milestone in his career which comes months after he beat cancer.

In September 2025, Reardon took to Instagram to update fans on his health, writing, “I’ve been quiet for a while — partly because it was hard to find the words, and partly because I didn’t want anyone else speaking for me.

“The truth is: I didn’t leave Hudson & Rex. After taking a couple months to go through cancer treatment, I was given a clean bill of health and cleared and ready to return to work. But the team chose to go in a different direction. Although this is not how I had hoped the 7 year journey would end – I’m very appreciative of the opportunity to play a part in building something special.”

He continued, “I’m healthy. I’m working. And I’m proud of what comes next. I hope you’ll join me on the adventure.”

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Back in February, Reardon took to Instagram once again to announce he was “cancer free and cleared to go back to work in full capacity.”

He captioned the post, “Feeling strong and very appreciative. I am overwhelmed by the response I’ve had from fans around the world saying how important the show is to them and the well wishes.”

John Reardon’s Cancer Journey

Reardon first wrote about his cancer journey in a 2024 Christmas Eve post, saying, “Last night was my first night out after my recovery from tonsil cancer. Has been a long road between these two pictures and the difference is from the love and support I received from my people in my life. My amazing partner @officialmeghanory for taking on our whole world to help me get better.”

He continued, “My brave kids who inspired me. My Dad who took me for a walk everyday even when it was hard for me to get out of bed – and I’m sure hard for him to see his son in pain. My Mom @ocean__cottage who made me soups and ginger honey tea and green juices so I could get calories into my body. My sister and brother @dr_laura_reardon @marcreardon81 who helped with the kids and the challenges of life when I couldn’t.

“All my in-laws, who are not just in-laws they are family, who brought food and cookies and talked through challenges with us. Our nanny, our neighbors and everyone who sent food or love and support or messages and kind words and also all the amazing doctors, nurses, technicians, hospital workers, psychologists you are all my heroes and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

“Kindness is an under appreciated quality in people. We should never under value it. Celebrate it and distribute it as much as possible. It is free and life changing. Happy Holidays,” Reardon concluded.

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He announced on social media that he was “cancer free” on February 5, 2026.

All About Tonsil Cancer, a Type of Head and Neck Cancer

Tonsil cancer is a form of oropharyngeal cancer that occurs when the cells that make up the tonsils grow out of control and form lesions or tumors. Oropharyngeal cancer is a cancer oropharynx the middle portion of the throat (pharynx), beginning at the back of the mouth which includes the base of the tongue, the tonsils and the soft palate.

The most common symptom of tonsil cancer is an enlarged tonsil, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

If both tonsils are swollen or enlarged, the problem is less likely to be tonsil cancer, but you should still bring up the change to your health with your doctor.

Other tonsil cancer symptoms include:

• hoarseness
• a lump in the neck or throat
• a persistent sore throat
• difficulty swallowing
  ear or jaw pain

Tonsil cancer is becoming increasingly common in the United States. It is often caused by past infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).

This type of cancer falls under the umbrella of the general classification term head and neck cancer.

According to the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), head and neck cancer is “a broad term encompassing a number of different malignant tumors that develop in or around the throat, larynx, nose, sinuses and mouth. Oral cancer is the most common type of head and neck cancer.

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The two main risk factors for this group of diseases include the following:

• Tobacco use. This is the single largest risk factor for head and neck cancer with researchers estimating that 70 to 80 percent of head and neck cancers being linked to tobacco use. Also worthy of note is that secondhand smoke may increase a person’s risk of developing head and neck cancer.
• Alcohol use. Using alcohol and tobacco together increases your risk even more.
  “Head and neck cancer patients, we know that tobacco smoking is a risk but also heavy alcohol use,” Dr. Jessica Geiger, a medical oncologist specializing in head and neck cancer at Cleveland Clinic, previously told SurvivorNet.

“So, drinking more than two or three drinks if you’re a man per day, in addition to smoking. Smoking and alcohol are sort of additive carcinogens. Especially in cancer of the larynx or the voice box, we know that drinking heavily, heavy alcohol use, is just as important of a risk factor as tobacco smoking is.”

The Connection Between Head & Neck Cancers and HPV

It’s much more common to know someone who has a head or neck cancer now-a-days than it was several decades ago. And that’s because of its strong connection to HPV, the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States.

“From the 1980s to the 2010s, the rate of HPV-related head and neck cancers has gone up by 300 percent,” Dr. Ted Teknos, a head and neck cancer specialist, and president and scientific director of University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio, told SurvivorNet during a previous interview.

“That is entirely due to the HPV infection, in the throats of patients who have been exposed to HPV. So there is no myth … HPV causes throat cancer and it’s a sexually transmitted disease. And it’s something that is an epidemic in the United States.”

Understanding HPV and Cancer Risk

Meanwhile, Dr. Allen Ho, a head and neck surgeon at Cedars-Sinai, says the vast majority of humans in the United States — both men and women — will eventually get infected with HPV.

Dr. Ho explained, “The important thing to know about HPV is that there are many different strains, and only a couple of them tend to be more cancer-inducing.

“Probably less than 1 percent of the population who get infected happen to have the cancer-causing virus that somehow their immune system fails to clear, and over 15 to 20 years it develops from a viral infection into a tumor, and a cancer.”

It’s unclear whether HPV alone is enough to trigger the changes in your cells that lead to throat or mouth cancer, or whether this happens in combination with other risk factors like smoking. Of course, some people who develop throat or mouth cancers have no known risk factors for the condition. Genetics can play a role in this cancer, too.

Why the HPV Vaccine is so Important in Preventing Cancer

The HPV Vaccine

Oral and throat cancers are unique in that they’re usually preventable with the HPV vaccine. And that’s why those eligible should get vaccinated against HPV, SurvivorNet experts say.

The vaccine is typically given to children before they are sexually active, as HPV is transmitted through sexual contact.

And contrary to some detrimental misinformation circulated online, the HPV vaccine is entirely safe.

There are virtually no side effects with this vaccine, Dr. Jonathan Berek, director of the Women’s Cancer Center at Stanford Medical Center, previously told SurvivorNet.

It is “incredibly safe,” he insisted. “It’s as safe as any vaccine has ever been. It’s highly-effective. It’s highly-predictive.”

Dr. Berek continued, “Some people say they’re concerned about it because they’re — they’ve called it a sex vaccine, that somehow it’s gonna encourage people to be sexually active.  First of all, that’s not true. It’s, it’s an anti-cancer vaccine. And second of all, there are no data to support that contention.

“There are absolutely none. So it’s really based on fear, misinformation, disinformation … it’s not based on science or data. The science is very clear.  It’s a highly-effective, safe vaccine, and should be promoted.  And in those countries now where it has been promoted, we’re starting to see substantial reductions in the precancerous and early cancers of the cervix.”

HPV is responsible for 34,800 cases of cancer in the U.S. each year, but 90% of them can be prevented thanks to the HPV vaccine Gardasil.

Deciding When to Work or Step Back Amid Cancer Treatment

“We always encourage people to continue to work if they can,” says Sarah Stapleton, a clinical social worker at Montefiore Medical Center.

“I think it creates a sense of normalcy for patients.”

If you can work, you’ll be busy, and you may not be worrying about how your treatment is going, Stapleton adds.

Sometimes, cancer can make you feel isolated and lonely, and being around people for work can alleviate feelings of loneliness.

It’s important for you to have a conversation with your doctor before continuing to work during treatment. Ask your physician what you can and cannot do so you don’t disrupt ongoing treatment.

Remember, sometimes cancer treatment can cause fatigue, leaving you unable to fulfill your duties as you once could.

Fortunately, some on-the-job accommodations can make working during cancer treatment a little easier.

It’s important to remember that people with job problems related to cancer are protected by the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Act. Others may also benefit from the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). This law allows many people with serious illnesses to take unpaid leave to get medical care or manage their symptoms.

Your human resources department should be able to share with you your options.

In some situations, employers must accommodate a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless the employer can show it would be an undue hardship to do so. This could mean making changes to work schedules, equipment, or policies.

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Laurie Ostacher, a behavioral health clinician at Stanford Health Care, recommends cancer patients talk with their employer about accommodations they may need upon returning to work.

“Patients need to let their employer know [they’re] going to need some flexibility… Because there are going to be days when you’re not as energetic or feeling as well as other days,” Ostacher explained.

When some of these benchmarks cannot be met because you’re struggling with treatment side effects or your treatment schedule interferes with your work schedule, perhaps stepping back from work or reducing your work schedule may be ideal.

Ultimately, you should remain in constant communication with your care team about your plans to work – or not – as that can factor into your overall treatment regimen.

Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff

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