Ricky Gervais speaks out after The Office star Lucy Davis shares ‘incurable’ cancer diagnosis

Since then, the disease has spread to her spine, right hip and ribs. “The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo,” Ms Davis wrote in her post.

She accompanied the message with a video showing her smiling as she rang a hospital bell to mark the conclusion of treatment.

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BBC

Ms Davis, who is the daughter of Birmingham comedian Jasper Carrott, had kept the diagnosis private until now.

Between 2001 and 2003, Ms Davis starred alongside Martin Freeman in the groundbreaking Mr Gervais comedy, playing the Wernham Hogg receptionist who served as the love interest to Freeman’s Tim Canterbury across two series.

The sitcom, set in a fictional Slough paper merchant’s office, launched her career and remains one of British television’s most celebrated comedies.

On Tuesday evening, Mr Gervais reached out to Ms Davis directly, responding to her emotional Instagram post.

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PA

Mr Gervais responded by ‘liking’ the post from Ms Davis, while sharing a love-heart emoji in the comments section.

He was far from the only famous face to publicly show their support for Ms Davis. Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington penned: “Sending you the biggest cuddle and all my love, love, love, love, love.

“You are and have always been an incredible f****** woman. I adore you. What larks we had when we worked together. Here if you need anything. xxxxxxxxxxx.”

Piers Morgan weighed in: “Lucy, this is such devastating news. I’m so sorry. Your courage in talking about this so honestly says everything about you. Sending you and your family all my love and support. X.” (sic)

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INSTAGRAM/LUCY DAVIS

Alley Cats and After Life star Jo Hartley echoed: “Sending you so much love love love and a big hug!”

And presenter Trisha Goddard, who is also battling the disease, penned: “Sending big love from a fellow stage 4 club-member. I know what you mean about a sense of humour being important.”

After The Office, Ms Davis went on to appear in Edgar Wright’s 2004 zombie comedy Shaun of the Dead with Simon Pegg, and later took on the role of Hayley Jordan in BBC Radio 4’s The Archers, a part she held for close to a decade.

More recently, Ms Davis reached younger audiences through Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, the Disney Channel’s The Villains of Valley View, and the 2017 superhero film Wonder Woman.

The Birmingham-born actress said humour had been her most essential coping mechanism, urging those closest to her to poke fun at her “as much as possible” and, crucially, to avoid treating her as an invalid.

“There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell,” she wrote.

Ms Davis acknowledged that the physical toll has been considerable, with standing and walking for extended periods proving difficult, and a wheelchair now sometimes necessary.

“I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it,” she said, adding that she expected to be reunited with her late dog Gracie sooner than anticipated.

“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.”

Despite her diagnosis, Ms Davis made clear she has no intention of stepping away from the profession she cherishes. “I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life,” she wrote.

Her commitment to animal welfare campaigning will also continue, describing the cause as deeply important to her.

She reflected on the broader lessons her illness had taught her, noting that cancer had provided unexpected “teachable moments” for which she felt grateful.

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To others facing a similar battle, she offered words of solidarity. “Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose,” she said.

Ms Davis described her current aim simply: to spend whatever time remains living “in as fun a way as I possibly can.”