The Office’s Jenna Fischer leads support for Lucy Davis after terminal cancer diagnosis

Lucy Davis has been inundated with messages of support from fans and friends across the entertainment industry after sharing her terminal cancer diagnosis, 

On Tuesday night, The Office star shared a post on Instagram announcing that a year and a half ago, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 breast cancer.

Lucy, 53, explained that the cancer has since metastasised to her bones, stating: ‘Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.’

The actress told her followers that she’s now ‘trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can’, adding that she’s ‘not scared of whatever comes next’.

Numerous people commented underneath Lucy’s post with comforting words, including The Office US star Jenna Fischer, Ricky Gervais, Sarah Paulson and Chilling Adventures of Sabrina star Kiernan Shipka.

‘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! ❤️,’ wrote Jenna, who announced in October 2024 that she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Jenna played Pam in the US version of The Office, the counterpart to Lucy’s Dawn in the original UK series. In July last year, Lucy appeared on Jenna’s podcast Office Ladies, which is also co-hosted by fellow Office star Angela Kinsey.

Ricky shared a heart emoji comment underneath Lucy’s post, to which she responded with three Xs.

As well as playing Dawn in The Office UK, one of Lucy’s best-known roles is as Hilda Spellman in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, one of Sabrina Spellman’s witch aunts.

Kiernan, who played the titular character, wrote: ‘I love you so much Lucy ❤️❤️❤️,’ while her co-star Jaz Sinclair added: ‘I love you Lucy ❤️ so much!’

Melissa Joan Hart, who starred as the lead in the 90s series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, added: ‘Your outlook is inspiring and I’m sending you love, prayers and big hugs! And a little magic for a miracle!’

Trisha Goddard, who’s been diagnosed with breast cancer twice, wrote: ‘Sending big love from a fellow stage 4 club-member. I know what you mean about a sense of humour being important. 💖💖💖.’

In a second comment, the TV presenter also said: ‘We’re all members of the club no one wants to join and you’re right… it’s literally about putting 1 foot in front of the other sometimes. Love to you too 💖.’

The Bay actress Marsha Thomason commented: ‘Sending you so much love Lucy.❤️,’ while broadcaster Richard Bacon left a heartfelt note reading: ‘I’m so sorry to hear this Lucy. 

‘You’re clearly a magnificent person. I hope you continue working. I love that you do work for animal rights. I’m so sorry this has happened to you. Your post is perfectly pitched. You are iconic and I wish you well and I hope that “well” lasts a long time.’

The post that Lucy shared on Instagram was accompanied by a video, in which she could be seen reading a poem and ringing a bell.

The poem read: ‘Ring this bell three times well, it’s a toll to clearly say, my treatments are done, the course is run, and I am on my way.’

She then added: ‘I might not ring it three times,’ before ringing it once, to rapturous cheers and clapping.

Lucy emphasised that she’s going to continue her work with animal rights, and would also like to continue acting, stating: ‘I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.’

She also wrote: ‘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.’