Wayne Sleep reveals he is undergoing treatment for cancer but ‘in good spirits’
The 78-year-old shared the news in an Instagram post on Sunday.
Former Royal Ballet dancer Wayne Sleep has revealed he is “undergoing treatment for cancer” but assured fans he is “in good spirits and feeling positive about the future”.
The 78-year-old shared the news in an Instagram post on Sunday, but did not specify his exact diagnosis.
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.”
While Sleep did not go into further details, he 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 was accompanied by a photograph of Sleep bundled up in the cold weather, wearing a jacket and a beanie, at Kew Gardens earlier this week where he was looking at the “wonderful” Henry Moore exhibition.
The comments were flooded with messages of support from well-wishers.
The announcement comes 11 years after Sleep was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The dancer and TV star previously opened up about his diagnosis and recovery, telling The Mirror in 2016 that his PSA levels had first been raised in 2010.
He underwent further tests, and in July 2015 an MRI and biopsy led to his prostate cancer diagnosis.
Sleep opted for brachytherapy, which the NHS describes as a treatment involving tiny radioactive pellets being placed in the prostate to kill cancer cells.
Sleep rose to fame as a dancer with the Royal Ballet, later establishing himself as a director, choreographer and actor.
He also enjoyed a career in musical theatre, appearing in productions including Cats and Cabaret, before becoming a familiar face on reality television.
He competed on ITV reality show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2003 alongside Danniella Westbrook and Toyah Willcox, finishing fourth overall.
Sleep also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018, finishing fifth.
He was a judge on ITV dance show Stepping Out in 2013, and appeared on The Real Marigold Hotel, a reality series following celebrity pensioners on a journey to India, in 2016.
Sleep later starred alongside Miriam Margolyes, Rosemary Shrager and Bobby George on The Real Marigold On Tour, which saw the celebrities travel to Florida and Japan.