Lucy Davis, who played Dawn Tinsley in the original UK version of The Office, has revealed she has “incurable” breast cancer.

Davis, the daughter of comedian Jasper Carrott, appeared frequently as the sympathetic and witty office receptionist in the groundbreaking mockumentary, from 2001 to 2003.

A post from the 53-year-old actress on Instagram on Tuesday said: “I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now.

“A year-and-a-half ago I was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, which has metastasized [spread] to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.”

She added: “The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a ‘lump’ as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out.

“As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.”

She continued: “I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. I’ll see my [late dog] Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.”

Davis added: ” I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.”

Following her post to Instagram, Davis received an outpouring of support from fans and well-wishers.

The Office US star Jenna Fischer wrote: “Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!”

Fischer played receptionist Pam Beesly on the American version of the show, with Davis playing the character’s UK counterpart.

Birmingham-born Davis played receptionist Dawn, who was also the love interest of Tim Canterbury, played by Martin Freeman in Ricky Gervais’s classic TV sitcom – which last month celebrated its 25th anniversary.

After The Office, Davis went on to feature as Dianne in 2004 comedy-horror film Shaun of the Dead and Etta Candy in 2017’s Wonder Woman, as well as Hilda Spellman in Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

More recently, she played Eva in the Disney Channel’s action-comedy series The Villains of Valley View.

In her Instagram post – which was accompanied by a video of her reading a poem while ringing a bell in hospital – she went on to say she intended to keep up her work supporting animal rights, which is “so important to me”.

She went on: “I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.

“For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose.”

According to Cancer Research UK, stage four breast cancer is a cancer that starts in the breast tissue but spreads to another part of the body, making it incurable. Treatment can control the cancer for some years, however.

The main symptoms of breast cancer in women may include a lump, or swelling in your breast, chest or armpit, the NHS website says.

Symptoms can also include a change in the skin of your breast such as dimpling or redness, a change in size or shape of one or both breasts, and/or nipple discharge (if you are not pregnant or breastfeeding), which may have blood in it.

Other symptoms may include a change in the shape or look of the nipple, such as it turning inwards or a rash on it.