Friends star James Michael Tyler thanks fans for support over cancer diagnosis as he undergoes second round of chemotherapy

Friends actor James Michael Tyler has thanked fans for their support since he went publish with his prostate cancer diagnosis, saying that it ‘means the world to me’.

James, 59, shared a photo of himself receiving chemotherapy and updated his followers with the news that he’d finished round two of the treatment last week.

Next to the image, he wrote: ‘Just finished chemo round 2 last week! Thank you all so much for your outpouring of love and support. It means the world to me.’

The star, who played coffee shop icon Gunther on the hit sitcom and harboured a not-so-secret crush on Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) throughout its 10 seasons, initially appeared on the Today Show to talk about his cancer, revealing that he had been diagnosed during an annual check-up in September 2018.

Speaking to Craig Melvin, he explained: ‘I was diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer, which had spread to my bones.

‘I’ve been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years… It’s stage 4 (now). Late stage cancer. So eventually, you know, it’s gonna probably get me.’

The actor’s fans were across the comments on his latest Instagram post, giving him their best wishes.

One wrote: ‘Sending you lots of love! What a terrible thing for you and your family. But you raising awareness is amazing and so brave! I dont think u [sic] will ever realise how many lives you will save! Stay strong and keep fighting! The world is behind you.’

Another posted: ‘You are a superhero. Sending you everything I’ve got in my vibes tank!’

A third thanked him for the update and reminded him of the ‘army of fans sending so much love’.

James also confirmed on the morning programme that the Friends cast already knew about his health battle, which saw him on Zoom for the highly-anticipated episode rather than in the studio, which he described as his decision ‘because I didn’t wanna bring a downer on it’.

The actor is now campaigning for the charity Prostate Cancer Awareness, and in a PSA he recorded for the organisation shared that he ‘nearly died last October’ when he was rushed into intensive care.

In the clip he emphasised: ‘If there’s one piece of advice I could give to men out there to avoid where I am today specifically, is get tested. Ask for a PSA test. My specific cancer went to the bones before it could be stopped, before I realised I had it.’  

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