Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

LazyTown actor Stefan Karl Stefansson in final stages of cancer

The actor starred in the CBeebies kids favourite from 2004 to 2007

Jacob Stolworthy
Wednesday 28 June 2017 09:19 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Stefán Karl Stefánsson, a lead star in popular kids TV show LazyTown, is in the final stages of cancer, his wife has confirmed.

The actor played the villainous Robbie Rotten in the CBeebies show from 2004 to 2007, and he has remained popular to this day.

“Stefán has bile-duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), a rare and little-researched disease,” Steinunn Olina wrote on Facebook. “The disease is now advanced to stage four, and therefore, his life expectancy is unfortunately significantly reduced.”

He was diagnosed with the disease in September 2016.

LazyTown hailed from Iceland and featured the characters Sportacus (Magnús Scheving) and the pink-haired Stephanie (Julianna Rose Mauriello/Chloe Lang). The show's message was to get kdis to be more active and to lead healthier lifestyles.

Stefánsson's friends and fans have raised more than $140,000 (£110,000) to aid support of his treatment.

The fundraising page's organiser Mark Valeti wrote: “Despite the best efforts of his excellent Icelandic medical team, and Stefán personal heroism, there is no apparent cure."

Stefánsson himself wrote on his Facebook page: “Love and humility are unusual and so helpful through it all. I'm moved and very grateful."

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in