Who is Gracie? Lucy Davis says she’ll see cherished pet ‘sooner than expected’ after cancer diagnosis

| Senior TV Reporter Published August 11, 2026 6:11pm Updated August 11, 2026 6:11pm Lucy Davis has said she has been diagnosed with incurable breast cancer (Picture: Lucy Davis/Instagram) Lucy Davis has said she will be with her dog Gracie ‘sooner than expected’ after being diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. The 53-year-old actress, who is best known for playing Dawn in The Office, said the cancer is ‘incurable’ in a post shared on Tuesday. Davis was diagnosed a year and a half ago, but said it has ‘metastasised’ to her bones, including her spine, right hip and ribs. In the post, she told her followers it is ‘too late’ for chemotherapy. In the Instagram caption, she said: ‘I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. ‘I’ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.’ Who is Gracie? ‘I’ll see my Gracie sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home’ (Picture: Lucy Davis/Instagram) To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In the post, Davis refers to her beloved late dog Gracie, who died in 2024. The actress penned a lengthy tribute to her pup at the time. Alongside a montage of snaps with Gracie, she wrote: ‘On Friday I had to say goodbye to the best being there is. She was nearly 17. ‘Because of Gracie I learned what this feeling of unconditional love is. And now I need to somehow deal with the loss of her in my life.’ Davis continued: ‘I don’t really know where to start in telling who she was, she gave me everything and asked for nothing. I learned so much from her. ‘For her whole life I always knew where she was at any given minute, and now I don’t. That’s one of the hardest parts for me. ‘She was kind, generous, willful, funny, fabulously disobedient, very vocal, and so loving. She was my travel buddy, my playmate, my partner in crime, my love. ‘God I was lucky. Thank you my girl. Fly free. Until we meet again.’ How to check for signs of breast cancer CoppaFeel! offers these simple steps on how to check your own chest for signs of cancer. Look Look at your boobs, pecs or chest. Look at the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone. Be aware of any changes in size, outline or shape and changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling. Feel Feel each of your boobs, pecs or chest. Feel the area from your armpit, across and beneath your boobs, pecs or chest, and up to your collarbone. Be aware of any changes in skin such as puckering or dimpling, or any lumps, bumps or skin thickening which are different from the opposite side. Notice your nipples Look at each of your nipples. Be aware of any nipple discharge that’s not milky, any bleeding from the nipple, any rash or crusting on or around your nipple area that doesn’t heal easily and any change in the position of your nipple The Office star’s dog died in 2024 and penned a heartfelt tribute to her (Picture: Lucy Davis/Instagram) In the post sharing her cancer diagnosis, Davis said she will continue working for animal rights, having previously posed nude for a Peta campaign against the Guards Division’s use of bearskin caps. She also said she would like to keep working as an actress – a job which is one of the ‘biggest joys’ of her life. ‘For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose,’ she said. Deals of the Day Parents can save up to 30% on Kickers school shoes ahead of the new term The back-to-school hack that's helping parents avoid queues and sold-out sizes Could your hair be wavy rather than straight? This brand thinks so Could your star sign improve your skincare routine? This new beauty launch thinks so Best skincare for menopausal skin? This dermatologist-created treatment is tailored to you The actress shared a video of her ringing a bell and reading out a rhyme common in many cancer treatment centres to celebrate the end of treatment. Arrow MORE: Boy, 14, dies from rare brain tumour after doctors dismissed symptoms as ‘migraines’ Arrow MORE: ‘My lovely son died of asbestos-related cancer at 20 – no-one knows why’ Arrow MORE: Andy Burnham responds to Scottish athlete with terminal cancer’s heartbreaking plea TV Newsletter Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.