Riverdance star Michael Flatley has been diagnosed with “an aggressive form of cancer”, it has been announced.
A post shared on his official Instagram page said that the dancer and choreographer has undergone surgery for the disease.
The 64-year-old was catapulted to fame in the Irish dancing production Riverdance, which was first performed as a seven-minute interval break at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994.
A statement shared on social media reads: “Dear friends, we have something personal to share, Michael Flatley has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.
“He has undergone surgery and is in the care of an excellent team of doctors.
“No further comments will be made at this time. We ask only for your prayers and well wishes. Thank you. Teamlord.”
After the success of Riverdance at Eurovision, it was extended into a full-length show and opened at Dublin’s Point Theatre in 1995.
Michael, who was born into an Irish-American family in Chicago, followed up with his own stage show, Lord Of The Dance.
He has also created, produced and directed other productions including Feet Of Flames and Celtic Tiger.
The dancer has also expanded into film, directing and starring in the 2018 spy thriller Blackbird.
In the movie, which also stars Eric Roberts, Patrick Bergin and Ian Beattie, Michael plays former MI6 operative Victor Blackley, who is drawn back into the world of espionage he had left behind.
Last year the dancer also launched a Lord Of The Dance tour to raise money for the humanitarian effort in Ukraine.