I'm clear of my pancreatic cancer, says Sir John Hurt: Actor tells of joy at being given the all clear and how it 'all looks great for the future'
Pure joy: Sir John Hurt, pictured with wife Anwen on Tuesday, has been given the all-clear
Sir John Hurt last night spoke of his joy at being told he had beaten pancreatic cancer.
The actor, 75, had refused to let the disease stop him working after his diagnosis earlier this year.
And yesterday he revealed he had been given the all-clear by doctors.
Speaking yesterday evening at the Man Booker Prize ceremony in London, the Elephant Man star said: ‘I had a final scan and it’s all gone brilliantly.
'I had the final scan yesterday [Monday] and I saw my oncologist this morning [Tuesday].
'I am overjoyed, I am thrilled. It all looks great for the future, it’s fantastic.’
He added that he remains wary of using words such as ‘remission’ even ‘if it’s true’.
The two-time Oscar nominee revealed in June that he had been diagnosed with cancer but vowed to continue working and true to form is set to head to Northern Ireland today to work on a new project.
Revealing his diagnosis, the father-of-two said at the time: ‘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 Radio 4.’
Sir John, who was knighted in July in recognition of his stellar career, underwent a course of chemotherapy. Throughout the battle he said he refused to give in to fear.
He told The Radio Times: ‘I can’t say I worry about mortality, but it’s impossible to get to my age and not have a little contemplation of it. We’re all just passing time, and occupy our chair very briefly.’
Celebrated: Although he has more than 200 on-screen credits, Sir John Hurt is best known to younger audiences as wandmaker Ollivander in Harry Potter, and The War Doctor in Doctor Who (pictured)
He also retained his sharp sense of humour. Of his knighthood, he said: ‘I did nothing to encourage it. Some people do, you know. I like being Sir John - it works, doesn’t it? Or John.
‘The only thing that sticks in my craw is when people say “Mr Hurt”. I tell them it’s no longer correct.’
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.
Sir John, who married fourth wife Anwen Rees-Myers, 25 years his junior, in 2005, has two sons - Sasha and Nick.
The prolific actor’s career has spanned six decades and he has more than 200 on-screen credits, working alongside greats such as Orson Welles, Sir Laurence Olivier and Richard Burton.
His most celebrated roles include Caligula in I, Claudius; Kane in science-fiction classic Alien; Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant and wandmaker Mr Ollivander in Harry Potter. He also made a surprise appearance as an incarnation of Doctor Who for its 50th anniversary shows in 2013.
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