THE Anglesey-born star of US TV hit Spartacus: Blood and Sand has been diagnosed with cancer.
Production on the controversial sword and sandals drama was halted after Amlwch actor Andy Whitfield was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The 36-year-old has been sent for immediate treatment and said he was in good spirits.
“I’m receiving excellent care, and am feeling strong, positive and determined with an army of support behind me,” he said.
The cancer was discovduring a routine check-up before filming for the second season of the drama.
His doctors stated that his condition was detected in the early stages and was treatable.
Spartacus: Blood and Sand follows the folk hero as he is torn from his homeland and the woman he loves and condemned to the brutal world of the gladiator.
The series, co-starring John Hannah and Lucy Lawless, has attracted attention for sexual and violent scenes since its premiere in January on US channel Starz TV .
The channel’s president Chris Albrecht said that everyone involved with the show wished Andy well.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with Andy,” he said. “His health, of course, is our primary concern. He has our complete support during this difficult time.”
Whitfield left Anglesey to study at Sheffield University, before moving to Australia in 1997 to study drama in Sydney and work as a diagnostic engineer.
He found work as a model before becoming a regular on Australian screens in recent years, appearing on the drama MacLoed’s Daughters and medical show Out of the Blue.
His also starred in the 2007 independent action movie Gabriel, as the archangel battling the evil Fallen and trying to save the souls of purgatory.
Speaking before the series aired, Whitfield told the Chronicle that winning the role of Spartacus was the highlight of his career so far.
“This is my dream role – the fighting, the sandals, the blood, the legend,” he said.
“It’s the greatest script I’ve ever read.”
Channel Bravo will screen the first season of Spartacus: Blood and Sand this summer.