Comedian Ricky Gervais‘s long-term partner Jane Fallon revealed she will have to undergo surgery following her early-stage breast cancer diagnosis later this month.

The 65-year-old best-selling author shared her news with her social media following and posted a health update on her Instagram account, which boasts over 30 thousand followers.

Uploading a casual, dressed-down selfie, Jane typed the words “Bit of news… (no one panic)” in green lettering across the image and penned a heartfelt caption to go with it.

In the note, she explained: “So… I thought I should post something as I’ve had a few people notice I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately.

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“About a month ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage, thankfully, and the prognosis is excellent. I had a routine mammogram a week before Christmas. I had no symptoms, but the brilliant radiographer spotted something iffy and sent me for further tests and eventually a biopsy.”

The writer continued, sharing: “Since then, I’ve had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely. It’s been a lot, I’m not going to lie.

“But my surgery is scheduled for the week after next, and I just want to get it over with now. I’m getting incredible care, and all will be fine, but I’m not engaging with much beyond audiobooks and jigsaws, to be honest. Dr Eric is on duty. Nurse Pickle is wondering when lunch is.”

In her last sentence, she was referring to the images she also shared of her plush teddy bear that was dressed up in a doctor’s outfit and of her cat, which had a nurse’s outfit photoshopped over her belly.

Fans and friends rushed to the comment section to send well-wishes, with one writing: “Oh, I’m glad they caught it early. Sending you lots of love and hugs. Take time to relax and chill out. You’ll have the best nurses with Ricky and Pickle looking after you.”

Fellow author and comedian Dawn French commented a string of multicoloured love heart emojis, while Alan Carr followed suit and posted four red hearts under Jane’s update.

Jane and Ricky’s relationship

The author and comedian first crossed paths in 1982, while they were both students at University College London.

Meeting through friends, the famous couple have been in a relationship for over 40 years and moved in with one another in the 80s.

Ricky and Jane have never officially walked down the aisle and said “I do”; they have been in a long-term relationship, and the comedian revealed he rejected the idea of marriage because of his atheist beliefs.