COMIC Brendan Grace has been diagnosed with lung cancer, it has emerged this morning.
The singer and former Father Ted star has cancelled his scheduled Ireland and UK tour this summer as he undergoes treatment.
Grace, who has been on the comedy circuit for 40 years, was given the diagnosis while being treated for pneumonia.
A spokesperson for the comedian told the Irish Mirror:“Brendan Grace has been in hospital for the last four weeks receiving treatment for pneumonia.
“It has now transpired that he is also suffering from cancer for which he is receiving ongoing care and treatment.
“His family are a great support to him at this difficult time and respect for their privacy would be much appreciated.”
The spokesman added that the funnyman is in hospital in Ireland, where he will remain for treatment.
The Irish Sun has contacted a representative for Brendan Grace for contact.
The 68-year-old was due to perform a number of shows between July 6 and August 23 this summer, which have since been cancelled.
Grace and his wife Eileen live in Florida but the comic regularly tours Ireland the UK, with further dates currently scheduled for 2020.
Last year, Dublin-born Grace revealed he suffered a stroke that left him looking like he was under the influence, but he admitted there was an “irony” to the situation — given that part of his act involves playing the role of a drunk.
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He told the RTE Guide: “Most people know that I am always very professional on stage. The irony is that I perfected the role of the drunk and it came back to bite me in the a**e.
“I had a stroke and I also had an accident that screwed up my gait. I now had to deliver the comedy from a seated position, only occasionally getting up from the chair.
“My fear was always that people would think ‘this guy had had a few bevvies’, so what I did was, I made a virtue of my leg problem and built it into the act.”
