BLUE comic Roy Chubby Brown hopes to have the last laugh on throat cancer.

The funny man sent fans a cheer-up message from his bed via authorities at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "We can confirm Roy Chubby Brown is an out- patient. He is receiving radiotherapy and his treatment is going well."

Problems with his throat, culminating in the devastating diagnosis that he had cancer of the larynx, led to the Teesside-born comedian to shelve show plans.

Agent Michael Forster says the 57-year-old just lives for getting back to work.

He said: "While I would not say his cancer is of secondary importance - it could be life threatening, if left unattended - his main focus is getting back to work. It is focusing his mind on approaching the cancer.

"He just wants to get back to work - that's what is on his mind at the moment.

"He is a workaholic. He is fine within himself and is responding to treatment."

Mr Forster said: "We postponed all the shows until from the middle of November, when, hopefully everything gets going again."