ALI Carter has spoken of the harrowing moment he discovered he had lung cancer.

And the Colchester-born potter, who has now returned to snooker after punishing chemotherapy sessions, says he was inspired to stay strong for the sake of five-year-old son Max.

Carter, who grew up in Tiptree and has already overcome testicular cancer, was told of a shadow on his lung shortly after competing at this year’s World Championship.

It was detected after routine blood tests and immediately turned his world upside down.

“Life was pretty good at that point,” said the 35-year-old.

“But then I had a phone call to say they’d found a shadow on my lung and straight away my heart absolutely sunk.

“I put the phone down and burst into tears.

“I thought I was going to die, without a doubt, and thought it was going to be another Paul Hunter scenario (referring to the former three-time Masters champion who tragically lost his cancer battle in October 2006)."

For the full story, see Wednesday's Gazette.