The peers and friends of Lucy Davis have rallied around the actor after she revealed she has been diagnosed with “incurable” Stage 4 breast cancer.
The 53-year-old actor, who is the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, rose to fame as the receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the BBC’s mockumentary The Office.
In an Instagram post on Tuesday (11 August), Davis said she had been diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer a year and a half ago but it has since “metastasised to my bones, specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs”.
“The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo,” she said, adding: “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.”
Davis’s father, the comedy icon Jasper Carrott, said in a statement: “This is a very difficult time for the whole family and we have been supporting her in every way possible since her diagnosis.
“We are so grateful for all the support we have had over this trying time and we are very hopeful for her future being what she wants it to be.”
Carrott added: “We are so proud of our daughter and love her so much. The way she has conducted herself through many traumatic health issues is a lesson to us all.” He went on to ask for privacy in the coming months.
Fans and peers of the actor have also shared their support, with The Office creator Ricky Gervais among those to leave a comment on the post.
Gervais shared a love heart emoji, while Samantha Morton, who recently won rave reviews for her role in The Odyssey, said: “Sending love and light and huge gratitude to you for being you and shining and making me belly laugh at workshop when things were so tough . Thank you.”
Meanwhile, Amanda Abbington, who was previously married to The Office star Martin Freeman, added: “Sending you the biggest cuddle and all my love, love, love, love, love. You are and have always been an incredible f**ken woman. I adore you. What larks we had when we worked together. Here if you need anything."
Jenna Fischer, who played Pam, a character inspired by Davis’s Dawn, in the American version of The Office, commended the actor on a “beautiful post” and praised her for stating that she still wanted to work amid her health struggles.
"Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let's spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!" she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.
Fischer was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2023. She received the all-clear the following year after receiving treatment.
Davis was described as “full of magic” and “an incredible force” by American Horror Story star Sarah Paulson and The Big Bang Theory’s Simon Helberg, respectively.
Hugh Bonneville, meanwhile, proclaimed her the “best of us”.
Edgar Wright, who directed Davis in the 2004 comedy-horror Shaun of the Dead, wrote: “Love you Lucy. Always. See you very soon.”
Kiernan Shipka, her co-star in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, wrote: “I love you so much Lucy”, with the original Sabrina star Melissa Joan Hart adding: “Your outlook is inspiring and I’m sending you love, prayers and big hugs! And a little magic for a miracle!”
In her post, Davis urged her followers to “get everything checked out”. She said she almost “didn’t bother” going to the doctor over “a really tiny” lump.
“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,” she said. “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…”
Explaining that she sometimes needs to use a wheelchair due to pain, Davis quipped:“If you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!”
“The thing that has been most vital to me is humour,” she continued. “I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at [eye-roll emoji]), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person.
“There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell... I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it.”
Davis said that she still wishes to continue working amid her health struggles. “I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life,” she said.
“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose... Much love to you all.”
Davis rose to fame in The Office, which ran from 2001 until 2003, before appearing in zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead a year later. She went on to star in Aaron Sorkin’s Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, comedy drama Better Things, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and Disney’s The Villains of Valley View.
