Chopper Read 'dying from cirrhosis'

Mark 'Chopper' Read has confirmed that he is dying from cirrhosis of the liver.

The Australian crime figure and TV star, who is famed for his drinking and bad behaviour, said that he has not touched alcohol in 18 months.

Read told the ABC before a Brisbane show on Wednesday: "I've got cirrhosis in the liver... haven't had a drink in 18 months. So [there's] no cure for that."

He added: "I'm not going to ask for a liver transplant. It's not fair. I'm 55 years old... I'm not going to put my name down against some 10-year-old or 12-year-old kid."

Read's life was turned into a movie called Chopper in 2000 starring Eric Bana.