Wayne Sleep has told fans he is “undergoing treatment for cancer”, but reassured them that he is “in good spirits and feeling positive about the future”.
The former Royal Ballet dancer, who is 78, shared the update on Instagram on Sunday. He did not name his exact diagnosis in the post.
Sleep wrote: “A few people have commented that I haven’t been looking quite my usual self recently, so I thought I would share an update. Since the summer, I have been undergoing treatment for cancer.”
He did not give further details, but said his treatment “appears to be working”, adding: “I am on the mend thanks to all at the Royal Marsden and am looking forward to getting back to full strength.
“I’m in good spirits and feeling positive about the future. Thank you to everyone for their kindness and concern.”
The post came with a photograph of Sleep wrapped outside in a jacket and a beanie.
It was taken at Kew Gardens earlier this week, where he had been to see the “wonderful” Henry Moore exhibition.
The announcement comes 11 years after Sleep received a prostate cancer diagnosis.
Speaking previously about his diagnosis and recovery, Sleep told The Mirror in 2016 that his PSA levels had first been raised in 2010.
Further tests followed, and an MRI and biopsy in July 2015 led to his prostate cancer diagnosis.
He chose brachytherapy as his treatment. The NHS describes brachytherapy as a treatment in which tiny radioactive pellets are placed in the prostate to kill cancer cells.
Sleep found fame as a dancer with the Royal Ballet and went on to build a career as a director, choreographer and actor.
Musical theatre roles followed, with appearances in productions including Cats and Cabaret.
In 2003, he competed on the ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!, finishing fourth overall. His fellow contestants included Danniella Westbrook and Toyah Willcox.
He entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2018, finishing fifth. In 2013, he was a judge on the ITV dance show Stepping Out.
He appeared on The Real Marigold Hotel, a reality series following celebrity pensioners on a journey to India, in 2016.
He later starred on The Real Marigold On Tour alongside Miriam Margolyes, Rosemary Shrager and Bobby George, in which the celebrities travelled to Florida and Japan.
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