Former Royal Ballet dancer Wayne Sleep has revealed that he is undergoing treatment for cancer. The 5ft 2in star, known for roles created by choreographers including Frederick Ashton and Kenneth MacMillan, shared the news on Instagram on Sunday (November 1), assuring fans he is 'in good spirits and feeling positive about the future'.
Career highlights and reality TV fame
Wayne joined the Royal Ballet in 1966 and rose to fame as a senior principal dancer, performing around the world. His career also included playing Mr. Mistoffelees in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats, setting a world record with an entrechat-douz, and jumping from an aircraft for charity.
He became a familiar face on reality television, competing on ITV's I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2003, where he finished fourth alongside Danniella Westbrook and Toyah Willcox. He also came fifth on Celebrity Big Brother in 2018.
Health update and previous diagnosis
In his Instagram post, Wayne wrote: "A few people have commented that I haven't been looking quite my usual self recently, so I thought I would share an update. Since the summer, I have been undergoing treatment for cancer." He said the treatment 'appears to be working', adding: "I am on the mend thanks to all at the Royal Marsden and am looking forward to getting back to full strength."
His announcement comes 11 years after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He previously told The Mirror in 2016 that his PSA levels had first been raised in 2010, and an MRI and biopsy in July 2015 led to his diagnosis. Wayne opted for brachytherapy, which the NHS describes as a treatment involving tiny radioactive pellets placed in the prostate to kill cancer cells.
