Ethan Payne announced as Teenage Cancer Trust Icon

The Icon role is for high-profile figures across the entertainment industry who have volunteered to give a year of their time to raise vital funds to ensure Teenage Cancer Trust can provide the very best support during treatment and beyond, so cancer doesn’t stop young people living their lives. And with current pressures in the NHS leading to increased waiting times and longer delays to diagnosis, this support is needed more than ever before.  

Ethan, also known as Behzinga, is a YouTuber, streamer, and Internet personality, and has built up millions of views on his videos covering gaming, football, comedy, and fitness. 

He first became involved with Teenage Cancer Trust after completing the virtual London Marathon in 2020. Since then he has created a limited-edition T-shirt with Gymshark to raise funds for the charity – which sold out in an incredible 22 minutes – and last year’s Sidemen football match raised more than £1 million to fund Teenage Cancer Trust’s specialist nurses and youth workers.  

Ethan said: “This is a really personal role for me as I know from having someone close to me affected by cancer the toll it can take on them, their family and their friends. When you’re young, cancer has a massive impact not just on your physical health but also on your relationships, your social life and – a topic that’s really important to me – your mental health. Having seen the work that Teenage Cancer Trust do to make sure young people with cancer get the support they need, I’m proud to take up the role of Icon and raise money to help them reach everyone who needs them.”

In a special film shot for Teenage Cancer Trust, Ethan said that being asked to be a Teenage Cancer Trust Icon was “massive” and “wholesome”, adding it was an honour to be asked to be a face for young people to connect to.  

He also urged any fans who think they might have one of the five most common signs and symptoms of cancer – lumps, unexplained tiredness, mole changes, pain or significant weight change – to visit the Teenage Cancer Trust website for more information.  

Paul McKenzie, Director of Engagement at Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ethan as our latest Icon. He’s a content legend whose commitment to raising these vital funds means that we can be there for young people with cancer when they need us most.  

“Right now, young people with cancer face more challenges than ever before. Healthcare services are under pressure, waiting times are increasing and diagnosis is taking longer – meaning too many young people could miss out on timely, effective and potentially life-saving treatment and care.   

“That means all our supporters – from our incredible Icons to those giving a single donation via our website – have never been more important.” 

Teenage Cancer Trust is the only UK charity dedicated to providing the specialised care young people with cancer need. Every day, seven young people in the UK aged 13-24 hear the words ‘you have cancer’. Specialist care increases their chances of survival, however until the creation of Teenage Cancer Trust in 1990 this care did not exist, and teenagers would find themselves being treated alongside toddlers on paediatric wards, or with much older patients on adult wards. Teenage Cancer Trust funds urgently-needed specialist nurses and youth workers to support these young people.