'I'm not scared': Beloved The Office star shares incurable diagnosis

Lucy Davis, the actor best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in The Office, has revealed she has incurable stage four breast cancer.

Davis, one of the most popular characters on the iconic British 2000s show created by Ricky Gervais, made the announcement in a moving Instagram post overnight.

"Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now. 

“A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasized to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.”

Davis, 53, encouraged people to notice the signs, as her lump was “tiny”.

She added, “As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.”

As Dawn Tinsley, Davis' deadpan act was one of the comedic highlights of the show, and she now said humour remains “vital” to her.

Lucy Davis was perfection as Dawn Tinsley in the original 2000s' The Office. Image: BBC

“I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at🙄), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person,” she said.

Finally, she reassured her fans, "I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it… Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.

“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally."

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Lucy Davis (@reallucydavis)

Lucy Davis shares incurable cancer diagnosis

Davis played Hayley Jordan on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers for almost a decade, and starred in the cult 2004 comedy Shaun of the Dead. 

She was also in the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Davis said she would continue advocating for animal rights, and would like to keep working as an actor, a job she said was one of the “biggest joys” of her life.