Aherne, Cornwell offer support to Hughes

Caroline Aherne and Judy Cornwell have offered messages of support to their TV co-star Geoffrey Hughes following his diagnosis with cancer.

It was revealed yesterday that the Royle Family star had been rushed to hospital after his wife found him collapsed at their Isle of Wight home.

In a message to Hughes, Royle Family creator and writer Aherne told The Mirror: "Geoffrey is a fighter. He has beaten this cancer before and I know he will beat it again.

"I am thinking about Geoffrey at this very difficult time. He is a warm and talented man and we are all looking forward to working with him again on the Royle Family Christmas special."

Cornwell, who appeared alongside the 66-year-old in BBC sitcom Keeping Up Appearances, commented: "I was sorry to hear the cancer has returned. I hope he can be as brave fighting it this time as he was when it was first diagnosed."

A spokesperson for the actor added: "Geoffrey is feeling much better. He's hoping to be out of hospital at the end of the week."