Kiwi comedian and children's writer Jon Gadsby has been diagnosed with cancer.
The 61-year-old is understood to be undergoing treatment and now his family is rallying to be by his side.
"Jon and his family are grateful for the excellent care he is receiving from the medical profession and for the good wishes and prayers from the community,'' a family statement to Stuff.co.nz said.
"His family respectfully request privacy so they can focus on Jon and his treatment - and supporting him through this.''
Gadsby, based in Christchurch, has been a well-known face on New Zealand television for many years; having first appeared on comedy show A Week of It in the 1970s.
