Ricky Gervais sends 'love' to The Office co-star Lucy Davis, 53, as she reveals 'incurable' breast cancer diagnosis

Ricky Gervais has shown his support for his The Office co-star Lucy Davis after she announced she had been given an 'incurable' breast cancer diagnosis.

The British actor, 65, posted a heart emoji as he sent love underneath Lucy's social media post revealing that she has terminal cancer.

Lucy worked with Ricky while playing the role of receptionist Dawn Tinsley in the UK version of The Office, while he starred as office manager David Brent. They reunited in a 2012 episode of Family Guy, where Lucy voiced David's character's ex-wife.

Ricky was among thousands of former co-stars, celebrity friends and fans offering Lucy messages of support following her heartbreaking announcement.

Ricky's partner Jane Fallon was diagnosed with breast cancer in early 2026 following a following a routine mammogram despite her having no symptoms.

Lucy has received an outpouring of support after sharing on Tuesday that she'd been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and 'doesn't know how long she has left'.

After announcing the news in an Instagram post, many stars offered their own heartfelt messages in the comments. 

Among the comments was Jenna Fischer, who played an alternative version of Lucy's character in The Office's US version, which aired from 2005 to 2013.

Jenna was previously diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in 2023 but it was removed before it could spread to the rest of her body.

She wrote: 'Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!'

Other comments included Amanda Abbington, who was previously in a relationship with Lucy's co-star on The Office Martin Freeman, and the pair worked together on the series Married Single Other in 2010.

She wrote: 'Sending you the biggest cuddle and all my love, love, love, love, love. You are and have always been an incredible f*****ng woman. I adore you.

'What larks we had when we worked together. Here if you need anything. Even if it’s just a catch up. Beautiful f*****ng woman. xxxxxxxxxx.'

Piers Morgan wrote: '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.'

Ulrika posted: 'Heartbreaking to read but beautifully written and articulate. Wishing you so much love and laughter.

'We’re all just walking each other home.'

Gavin and Stacey star Laura Aikman commented: 'Lucy . What a wise & funny f***er you are. Forever admiring you from afar. Hope you’re receiving all of this love coming your way xxx.'

Lucy shared on Tuesday that she'd been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and it had now spread to her 'bones'.

In her post, Lucy shared that she first discovered a 'tiny, hard spot' in her breast a year ago and nearly ignored it before seeing a doctor.

The Wonder Woman star said that despite the cancer being declared incurable she's 'at peace with whatever comes next'.

Lucy shared her diagnosis alongside an emotional video that showed her ringing the cancer treatment bell, and she shared in her post that she's been told it's 'too late' for her to undergo chemotherapy.

The star is best known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in Ricky Gervais' comedy The Office, and went on to star in the DC film Wonder Woman.

She wrote: 'Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I've kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now.

'A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasised to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.

'The initial lump that I felt, wasn't a 'lump' as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn't bother getting it checked. So I guess I'm saying don't ignore anything - get everything checked out.

'As of now, I'm trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens.

'And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there's a lot I have learned from it, and I'm grateful for that.

'As some of you will know, the pain can really be something else. Standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and I need to use a wheelchair sometimes (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!)

'The thing that has been most vital to me is humour. I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they're really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person.

'There's nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you're unwell.

'I'm not scared of whatever comes next. I'm at peace with it. I'll see my Gracie [her dog, who died in 2024] sooner than expected, and 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.

'I'm still going to keep up all my work for animal rights. It's so important to me. And I still would like to keep working. I'm perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.

'For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose. Much love to you all.'

Following her announcement, Breast Cancer Now's Sally Kum released a statement, writing: 'We're deeply sorry to hear the news that Lucy Davis is living with metastatic, incurable breast cancer, and we're sending our thoughts and support to Lucy, her family and everyone close to her at this incredibly difficult time.

'Lucy's openness about her diagnosis will undoubtedly resonate with the many thousands of people living with metastatic breast cancer across the UK.

'While advances in breast cancer treatment mean that more people are living longer with the disease, metastatic breast cancer remains incurable, and Breast Cancer Now is committed to changing that so by 2050 everyone diagnosed with breast cancer lives and lives well.

'Lucy's story is a powerful reminder that we cannot take our foot off the accelerator. We need to supercharge the dial on metastatic breast cancer by driving greater investment in research, developing better and kinder treatments, and finding new ways to prevent the disease from progressing and ultimately taking more lives.

'We must keep pushing for game-changing discoveries and access to life-extending drugs like Enhertu so that people living with metastatic breast cancer can have more time to live.

'We're grateful to Lucy for sharing her experience so openly. We hope her honesty helps shine a light on the reality of metastatic breast cancer and the need for more research and support for everyone living with it.

'Anyone affected by breast cancer or seeking information and support can speak to Breast Cancer Now's expert nurses by calling the charity's free, confidential helpline on 0808 800 6000, or via its forum or email.'

Lucy made a name for herself as Dawn Tinsley in Ricky Gervais's The Office, and she has since gone on to appear in The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina as one of the lead's aunts, Hilda Spellman.

She also played Etta Candy in the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, and had filmed US comedy series Amy from Amarillo.

Lucy has battled with ill health and in 1997 she had a kidney transplant, using an organ donated by her mother, Hazel.

The actress, who is diabetic, required hospital treatment with kidney failure in 2005 but went on to make a full recovery.

Lucy has also been open about her experience with bulimia, which was at its worst when she was going through a divorce in 2011.

She said during a 2017 interview with The Telegraph that after years of living with an eating disorder she's realised that 'whatever your body's meant to be, it will figure itself out... it's been a journey'.

'In my 30s, I would have hated to look like this,' she added. ''I probably wouldn't have gone out much. I'd diet for a week and then eat all the food I hadn't consumed in the previous seven days in a single day.'

The star's bulimia battle peaked around 2011, as her five-year marriage to fellow actor Owain Yeoman came to an end.

The actress, who even enrolled in Overeaters Anonymous, went on: 'Now, I think I'm just normal. But my head didn't think that then. This period of binge and purge was at its worst when my marriage came to an end.

'Even today, I'll wonder sometimes whether I might try and shift a few pounds, and then I'll think: 'Ooh no, I'd love some cheese'. I came to realise that all eating disorders aren't essentially about what you look like.

'They're about something much more fundamental. Like any addiction, I suppose. It's not that you have a drink problem, for example; it's that you have a problem, which is why you drink. For me, a cycle of throwing up and starving was my solution.'

Lucy is also the daughter of the famous British comedian Jasper Carrott, who hosted the ITV game show Golden Balls.

She was married to Welsh actor Owain Yeoman from December 2006 until their divorce in October 2011.

'I remember reading when I split from my husband that he's good-looking and I'm not, so therefore he deserves better,' she said in an interview at the time.

The pair did not have any children together.

When asked if she would ever get married again, she said: 'How could I not want to fall in love again? That will happen one day.

'But right now, I'm just so happy. I've got my dog Gracie after all.'