Pop star and actor Ian Dury is suffering from cancer of the liver, it emerged yesterday.
The creator of hits such as Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick and Reasons To Be Cheerful said he started feeling ''a bit iffy'' three years ago while shooting a film in Los Angeles.
In an interview with a Sunday newspaper, Mr Dury, whose first wife died of cancer, said tumours started to appear in his liver three months ago and he began a course of chemotherapy.
Mr Dury, who is 56 today, told the paper: ''You don't have cancer; it has you. The 'chemo' won't get rid of it.
''But it's another lease of - well, however long it is. You just don't know, but it's better than being hit by a bus tomorrow; you have time to sort yourself out.''
The star - who was left with disabilities after contracting polio as a child - decided to make his illness public so he may be able to ''cheer someone else up,'' he added.
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