Sam Neill sets the record straight about his cancer diagnosis after appearing on Australian Story

Acting legend Sam Neill has hit back at reports that his cancer has progressed, after appearing on Australian Story recently.

Logie winner Sam Neill has hit back at reports that his rare blood cancer is progressing, saying his comments on the National broadcaster ABC were “taken out of context”.

The Jurassic Park star took to Instagram to reassure his fans that he was doing fine and that he would be in remission from angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma, which he was diagnosed with earlier this year, for “many years to come”.

The 76-year-old – who is currently filming The Twelve for Foxtel in Perth and regional locations in WA - said comments he made about his treatment eventually failing on the ABC’s Australia Story this week were “taken out of context” and “conflated”.

There was an outpouring of alarm from fans and friends when they heard on the ABC show that the anti-cancer drug had put him in remission for 12 months but would eventually stop working. He told the show: “I’m prepared for that.”

Sam Neill appeared on Australian Story. Picture: ABC

Neill took to Instagram to clarify those comments.

“I’m back on the veranda and it’s a beautiful day,” the Hollywood star said.

“They showed Australian Story last night and I made a passing remark there... that the treatment that I am on that has me in remission will inevitably fail one day.

“That’s what happens. It’s nothing to worry about. I am in remission and I plan to be in remission for many years to come. I will bore you all to death with lots more work.”

He continued: “As such time as it does fail we will try something else. There are all sorts of things that are happening with cancer these days. It’s a whole new ball game so please stop worrying.

“I am getting a lot of messages on social media and friends. Sorry to worry everybody.”

Briefly choking up, he added: “Look, it’s all good. It’s all fine. It’s a beautiful day. I’m off to work and look how gorgeous those geraniums are in the background.”

Sam Neill (with Bryan Brown) said the story had been “conflated”. Picture: ABC

On the TV show, the New Zealand star compared his treatment to “10 rounds with a boxer”.

The Kiwi actor said that in the days after receiving treatment he feels like he’s done “10 rounds with a boxer”, but he continues to work hard on various projects.

Despite his health problems, Neill says retirement is completely out of the question revealing that he still finds joy in being in front of the camera and working with other actors.

Neill has also been working on a new book “Did I Ever Tell You This?”, in which he will reveal personal stories and anecdotes from his career.

He says the book is a way for him to leave a piece of himself for his children and grandchildren.

Earlier this year, the acclaimed actor told BBC that he hopes his cancer diagnosis doesn’t outshine his memoir.

“The last thing I want is for people to obsess about the cancer thing because I’m not really interested in cancer. I’m not really interested in anything other than living.”

The ABC has been contacted for comment.

Originally published as Sam Neill sets the record straight about his cancer diagnosis after appearing on Australian Story