11 January 2023 , 18:11
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Michael Flatley has been diagnosed with 'an aggressive form of cancer'.
In a statement shared to the dancer's social media accounts this evening, it was revealed the star has undergone surgery and is being cared for by a team of doctors.
The statement shared to Flatley's Instagram page 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."
Flatley previously fought skin cancer in 2003, but only revealed details of his health battle to fans in 2021.
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Michael Flatley's team shared the news of his ill health on social media this evening (Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Fans rushed to send the Riverdance legend their love underneath the update (Alastair Muir/REX/Shutterstock)Flatley's team shared a picture of the dancer looking out towards the sea stood on the beach, with his back to the camera for the black and white snap.
"Prayers that you stay strong and hopeful. Prayers for healing," of the Irish-American dancer's fans wrote underneath the update.
"Sending my best wishes and prayers to the legend," another added, as a third wrote: "As a cancer survivor, all I can say is trust in your medical team and keep positive."
Flatley had a malignant melanoma in 2003 (Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
A fan spotted the early signs of skin cancer when watching the star on TV (Daily Mirror)Flatley, who recently starred in spy movie Blackbird, told fans in 2021 how be dealt with a malignant melanoma in 2003.
The dancer explained how he owed his life to an eagle-eyed fan who spotted the first signs of a malignant skin cancer when watching Flatley on TV.
Flatley explained how he was in Las Vegas for the fifth anniversary of his Lord of the Dance tour when he did an interview with MTV.
"So many people who surround me have had cancer and so many people I know have died from it," the Lord of the Dance star explained to the Sunday Independent.
The star on stage during the Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games Broadway opening night in 2015 (WireImage)“I was diagnosed with skin cancer myself and it was a very scary time.
"I sympathise with anybody who is lying on that bed and facing the uncertainty of the future. It can be a frightening place."
He went on to explain how a fan watching his MTV interview spotted "the brown spot" on the side of his face and mentioned it to the star's personal assistant.
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Flatley cancelled a flight to Barbados when doctors asked him to see them urgently (Brian Doherty)Flatley continues to share how he had "never even noticed" the early warning sign but quickly booked in to see a doctor.
"I was flying to Barbados the next day and he gave me a call and asked me to come and see him," Flatley recalled in 2021.
"I said I was leaving for the airport and would he mind if I called him when I got back? He said, ‘no, I need you to come in immediately’. That was a little scary. I cancelled the flight and went straight in to see him."
'You have to take care of these things immediately,' Flatley said when discussing his skin cancer scare (Getty Images)The dancer then revealed how the medical professional told him how if he had let it "go a few more weeks", there would have been nothing doctors could have done for him.
Prompt treatment ensured the melanoma was fully dealt with and left no side-effects at the time.
Flatley is best known for for Irish dance shows like Riverdance, Lord of the Dance, Feet of Flames, and Celtic Tiger Live, but has pursued additional ventures over recent years.
In 2011, the dancer released On A Different Note, a flute album, and wrote, directed, financed and starred in Blackbird, a spy film set in Barbados, Ireland and the UK in 2018.
Flatley also introduced his troupe for a performance at the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017 - calling it "a great honour" at the time.