'I'm feeling good!' John Hurt reveals thinning hair after treatment for pancreatic cancer and says his doctor is 'incredibly optimistic' as he is knighted by Queen

Published: 09:16 EST, 17 July 2015 | Updated: 11:37 EST, 17 July 2015

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Sir John Hurt revealed his oncologist is 'incredibly optimistic' after his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

The 75-year-old actor was knighted by the Queen at Windsor Castle on Friday for his glittering career and said he is responding well to treatment.

Sir John said he was 'feeling good' after completing half a course of chemotherapy and has continued to work.

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Optimistic: Sir John Hurt revealed that both he and his oncologist are 'incredibly optimistic' about his prognosis after he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year

The actor - whose hair appeared to be much thinner as a consequence of his treatment - was made a knight by the Queen for a distinguished career that has featured a series of mesmerising performances, from the title role in The Elephant Man to the inspiring TV portrayal of Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant.

He was accompanied by his fourth wife Anwen Rees-Myers, 59, who he married in 2005.

Hurt - who has two sons - Sasha, 25, and Nick, 22 - has found new fans with parts in the special 50th anniversary episode of Doctor Who and the Harry Potter series of films.

Honoured: The 75-year-old actor was knighted by Queen Elizabeth for his glittering career at Windsor Castle on Friday and said he is responding well to treatment

Speaking after the Windsor Castle Investiture ceremony he said: 'I'm half-way through my chemotherapy and I've got a whole load of tests next week.

'I'm not feeling any of the side effects you're suppose to feel, or at least you can feel, as everybody's different I'm told.

'It's extraordinary, I haven't lost weight or anything and I'm feeling good - it's crazy.

'My oncologist is extremely optimistic, as indeed I am, so everything is going really well.'

Feeling good: Sir John said he was 'feeling good' after completing half a course of chemotherapy and has continued to work

John revealed his diagnosis in a statement last month in which he said: '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 Jeffrey Bernard Is Unwell (one of life's small ironies!) for BBC Radio 4.'

John Hurt in Dr Who with Matt Smith and David Tennant

Mesmerising: The actor was made a knight by the Queen for a distinguished career that has featured a series of mesmerising performances

About 8,800 people are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the UK each year. Lack of symptoms early on means it is often caught late and the five-year survival rate stands at 3 per cent.

He has twice been Oscar-nominated, for The 1980s The Elephant Man and Midnight Express.

The actor will next be seen starring opposite Samantha Morton in the new Sky Atlantic drama The Last Panthers, a drama that follows a diamond heist across Europe.