The 75-year-old Alien star is undergoing treatment and remains optimistic about his future, declaring he hopes to continue working for as long as possible and is to go ahead with plans to record an upcoming radio play for BBC Radio 4.

He says in a statement, "I have always been open about the way in which I conduct my life and in that spirit I would like to make a statement. I have recently been diagnosed with early stage pancreatic cancer. I am undergoing treatment and am more than optimistic about a satisfactory outcome, as indeed is the medical team.

"I am continuing to focus on my professional commitments and will shortly be recording (play) Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life's small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4."

The news comes just months after Hurt was awarded a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in her New Year's Honours List.

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