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Only Fools and Horses star Patrick Murray says his cancer has returned

Patrick Murray - "I am feeling positive" Photo: Press Association
Patrick Murray - "I am feeling positive" Photo: Press Association

Only Fools and Horses star Patrick Murray has said that his lung cancer has returned.

The actor, 66, who is best known for his role as Mickey Pearce in the comedy classic, had said last year that a tumour in his liver was shrinking and his cancer appeared to be "cured".

On Monday, Murray told his Twitter followers that "despite all the wonderful efforts" of staff at Guy's, Medway Maritime and King's College Hospitals in the UK, his "lung cancer has returned".

The actor, also known for the 1970s films Scum and Quadrophenia, added: "I thought I had a painful groin strain a couple of months ago, unfortunately that turned out to be the cancer getting into my pelvis and leg bones.

"It has also entered my lymphatic system."

He said that he is having a combination of radiology treatment and chemotherapy and that doctors are hopeful.

Murray, who starred in Only Fools and Horses from 1983 to 2003, added: "I will also hopefully able to get some shut eye. Another positive is my consultant.

"He is confident that the chemo will keep things in check for months and even years.

"His optimism comes not from kindness of which I know he has in spades, but advances in cancer medicine.

"The genetic molecular tests are super precise, and the choice of meds can be made with much more confidence. I am feeling positive with good wifes awesome support. Luv'n'Hugs." [sic]

Murray revealed in January 2022 that he had an operation to have a cancerous lung tumour in its early stages removed, followed by chemotherapy.

Subsequent scans found another tumour in his liver that was unconnected to his lung cancer and also treatable.

He also said he received transcatheter arterial chemoembolisation (Tace), a minimally invasive procedure performed in interventional radiology to restrict a tumour's blood supply.

In a health update in May last year, Murray said his oncologist had told him that his "lung cancer was cured and that the tumour in my liver was shrinking".

John Challis, who played Boycie in Only Fools and Horses, died from cancer in September 2021. He was 79.

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Source: Press Association

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