Lucy Davis, star of The Office, reveals she has 'incurable' stage four breast cancer

The Office star Lucy Davis has said she has been diagnosed with "incurable" stage four breast cancer.

Davis, 53, who played receptionst Dawn Tinsley in the hit sitcom, said on Tuesday she was diagnosed a year and a half ago and the cancer had "metastasized" to her bones, including her "spine, right hip and ribs," adding "it is too late for chemotherapy".

In a post on Instagram, the actress, who is the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, said: "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."

The actress shared a video of her ringing a bell and reading out a rhyme common in many cancer treatment centres to celebrate the end of treatment.

Reading out the poem, she said: "Ring this bell three times well. It's a toll to clearly say my treatments are done, the course is run, and I am on my way."

Recalling the first signs of the disease, she said the initial lump she felt "wasn't a 'lump' as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn't bother getting it checked. So I guess I'm saying 'don't ignore anything - get everything checked out'".

'I'm at peace with it'

Davis said one of the most important things that has helped her through the cancer is humour, asking her friends and family to make fun of her "as much as possible" and above all to not treat her like a "sick person".

"I'm not scared of whatever comes next. I'm at peace with it," she added.

'Harder' for family and friends

Referring to her dog, who died in 2024, she said she'll "see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home". "Any and all grieving is for my family," she said. "It's far harder for them than for me."

Davis said she will continue working for animal rights, adding that she would also like to keep working as an actress - a job which is one of the "biggest joys" of her life.

She ended by telling others battling the illness: "I do wish you well", and signing off by adding "much love to you all".

Tributes to 'wise and funny' star

Reacting to her announcement, Piers Morgan called it "horrendous" and "devastating", praising her "courage in talking about this so honestly".

Gavin & Stacey and Casualty star Laura Aikman called her "wise and funny" and said: "Hope you're receiving all of this love coming your way".

Danielle Hambridge, who starred in Squid Game, wrote that she had lived with stage four breast cancer for "nearly eight years".

Sally Kum, of the charity Breast Cancer Now, praised her openness, saying it "will undoubtedly resonate with the many thousands of people living with metastatic breast cancer across the UK".

Davis' story was a powerful reminder that "we must keep pushing for game-changing discoveries and access to life-extending drugs like Enhertu so that people living with metastatic breast cancer can have more time to live".

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Davis rose to fame through her role in The Office, which also helped launch the careers of co-creator Ricky Gervais, Martin Freeman and McKenzie Crook.

Running from 2001 to 2003, it was an influential and acclaimed comedy, not least for its innovative "mockumentary" style.

Davis is also known for playing Hayley Jordan on BBC Radio 4's The Archers for nearly 10 years and appeared in the 2004 comedy Shaun Of The Dead.

(c) Sky News 2026: Lucy Davis, star of The Office, reveals she has 'incurable' stage four breast cancer