An acclaimed writer was a surprise guest during an ECHO interview with actor Jake Abraham.
Last week, Jake , 56, spoke to the ECHO at his Kensington home about being diagnosed with prostate cancer in February. Best known for his role in the Guy Ritchie film 'Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels', Jake said he had not been feeling quite right for some time, but "left it too late" to get tested.
The cancer has spread and Jake is now receiving palliative care. Facing terminal illness, the actor wants to encourage people to get tested. There's currently no national screening programme for prostate cancer in the UK, but a PSA test can find early signs of cancer and allow for earlier treatment.
READ MORE: Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels star 'left it too late' to get checked out after feeling ill
The dad-of-two and grandad to four told the ECHO: "I was working (pantomime 'The Scouse Jack and the Beanstalk' at the Royal Court) but I wasn't feeling well. I was pushing through those spells when you don't feel yourself, you haven't got the energy and there are aches and pains.
"The costume for the play was enormous, I knew I wasn't well then but I'd not been well for so long. What made me go to the doctor and get a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) test was that I passed blood in my urine.
"I got a test and ended up in the Royal. He said 'you've got cancer, I'm so, so sorry'. He said that I'd had it for years, maybe four years."
He added: "Doctors have told me it could be months, it could be years. It's frightening.
"It's scary, to be confronted with your own mortality is the most scary thing you'll ever go through. To prepare for that and be cognitive mentally, but knowing that's what's coming, it's tough."
During the interview, Jake spent time reflecting on his career. Having started as an actor at The Everyman Youth Theatre in the 1980s, he has since been a regular presence on stage and screen, notably working frequently with the great Liverpool playwright Alan Bleasdale.
Jake said that he has been supported by many of his colleagues and friends in the industry. The ECHO saw this first hand when the aforementioned writer of 'Boysfrom the Blackstuff' came round to Jake's for lunch during our interview.
Carrying a bag of pies from Anfield's Homebaked Bakery and a large bottle of Diet Coke, Alan made one of his regular trips to Jake's to catch up with him and see how he is doing. Alan's trip to Homebaked was also marked by the shop, who shared their delight at hosting him with a tweet.
While Alan was there, Jake handed a gift to Alan. Among the projects on which the two worked together was the Channel 4 political drama 'GBH', which hit screens in 1991.
Jake received a clapperboard from the series' production during a wrap party. He wanted to give it to Alan as a token of his appreciation.
Asked about his career and whether his role as Dean in 'Lock, Stock' changed his life, Jake said: "No. I didn't buy a big mansion. But it made me more famous, in a sense.
"Even to this day, I'll walk into a shop and someone will quote the lines to me. They know the lines better than I do, I think I only know them now because people shout them at me.
"You never know when you're doing something, you never know it's a sure hit until the audience sees it. Nobody expected it, but it did go massive. There hadn't been a British gangster film like that for a long time, it felt like it could've been 'The Long Good Friday'.
"In some sense, it was too successful for me as an actor. I don't rate myself at all, I don't think I'm a great actor."
Alan made it clear that he doesn't agree with that statement. From across the living room, he asked Jake: "Do you want me to raise an objection from this corner?"
Jake then said: "I've been lucky enough to do some great, great jobs. 'GBH' for Alan, 'On the Ledge', some fantastic work.
"I've been really lucky, but I also did a lot of great stuff that I liked before 'Lock, Stock' came along, but it's one of those films that is a cult classic."
Jake then reiterated his message to people to get tested if they don't feel right.
He added: "I do still think about working, but I was doing the jazz splits every single night twice – with prostate cancer. I would die on the stage, me. Most actors would, they'd go to the end.
"I needed to be dragged off the stage. I didn't know that I had cancer until the run finished and I went to check.
"I've loved working in this industry. If I had got my PSA check, I would have a lot more time to work."