The Office actress Lucy Davis diagnosed with ‘incurable’ breast cancer
Lucy Davis announced she has incurable cancer (Ian West/PA)
actress Lucy Davis has said she was diagnosed with “incurable” stage four breast cancer.
The 53-year-old actress, who is the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, is best known for playing Dawn Tinsley in the BBC sitcom.
In a post shared on Tuesday she said was diagnosed a year and a half ago and the cancer has “metastasized” to her bones including her spine, right hip and ribs, and it is “too late” for chemotherapy.
She 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.
“As some of you will know, the pain can really be something else. Standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and I need to use a wheelchair sometimes (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!)”
Davis said one of the most important things that has helped her through the cancer is humour, asking her friends and family to poke fun at the actress “as much as possible” and above all to not treat her like a “sick person”.
“There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell,” she said.
“I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it.
“I’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; it’s far harder for them than for me.”
Stage four breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast tissue and that has spread to another part of the body (metastasised) making it incurable – however, treatment can control the cancer for some years.
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.
“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,” she said.
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.”
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Commenting on the post, star Jenna Fischer said: “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!”
Fischer played receptionist Pam Beesly on the American version of the show, with her character’s counterpart in the original UK series being Davis’ Tinsley.
In 2024 Fischer also revealed she had been diagnosed with stage one triple positive breast cancer a year earlier.
After completing surgery, chemotherapy and radiation, she then announced she was “cancer-free”.
Davis rose to fame playing receptionist Dawn in which follows the lives of office workers at Slough paper merchant Wernham Hogg with co-creator Ricky Gervais at the helm as office manager David Brent alongside stars such as actor Martin Freeman – who played bored salesman Tim Canterbury.
One of the notable storylines throughout the series is Tim and Dawn’s slow-burn office romance.
Debuting in 2001, the series ran until 2003 and also starred Mackenzie Crook as pedantic paper salesman Gareth Keenan and featured appearances from stars including Sally Bretton, Ralph Ineson and Joel Beckett.
It has widely been regarded as one of the most influential and acclaimed British comedies, hailed for its innovative “mockumentary” style.
Davis is also known for playing Hayley Jordan on BBC Radio 4’s for nearly 10 years and appeared in the 2004 comedy opposite Simon Pegg.
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