Ricky Gervais' long-time partner Jane Fallon is diagnosed with breast cancer

Ricky Gervais' longtime partner Jane Fallon has been diagnosed with breast cancer.The 65-year-old author and television producer, and partner of the polarising Gervais, has announced the sad news in a post on Instagram."I thought I should post something as I've had a few people notice I've been a bit quiet on here lately," she began on a post labelled, "bit of news"."About a month ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer – very early stage thankfully and the prognosis is excellent."Fallon said the disease was picked up during 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," she continued."Since then, I've had more mammograms, more biopsies and an MRI, so they can pinpoint the problem area precisely.READ MORE: Nicole Kidman reveals worst on-screen kissREAD MORE: The Crown and Downton Abbey star diesREAD MORE: 'Nothing they can do': Mel Schilling shares devastating cancer update"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."Fallon ended the post by thanking her team for the incredible care she was receiving and hinted she would be staying out of the spotlight for now."All will be fine, but I'm not engaging with much beyond audiobooks and jigsaws [to be honest]."Fans were quick to pick up on the correlation of her diagnosis and the character of Lisa in the British black comedy After Life, which Gervasis created, wrote, executive produced, directed and starred in.For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.Gervasis, 64, played small town newspaper journalist Tony Johnson whose beloved wife was diagnosed with breast cancer.The critically acclaimed Netflix series premiered in 2019 and ran for three seasons.Johnson's wife appears throughout the series in flashbacks, as she had passed away from the disease.While promoting the series, Gervais said he had taken inspiration from his relationship with real-life partner Jane.Speaking to The Mirror, he said: "You don't get to 60 without seeing most things."I've lost both parents and a sibling, and all my pets and some friends."But the ultimate for me would be losing my soulmate. That's the worst thing that could happen to me."So, it's an imagination, a fiction, that stems from that."During an episode of UK chat show, The One Show, Gervais said he hoped he died before Fallon because, like his character, he didn't think he could cope with the loss.Despite the unsettling premise of the show, it was praised by many for its depiction of grief.Fallon and Gervais have been in a relationship since meeting at the University College in London in 1982.They moved in together two years later and like his character in After Life, never had children, instead devoting themselves to their pets.She is often by his side on the red carpet, including when he hosted the Golden Globes for the fifth time in 2020.FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.