Vinnie Jones has revealed he is battling skin cancer.
The 48-year-old, who turned to acting after hanging up his football boots, told the Sun on Sunday it is the greatest challenge he has ever come up against.
“Cancer is a horrible word to hear. It frightens the life out of you,” he said.
“I’ve faced the biggest and ugliest lads on the football field and been in some nasty bar brawls. But this is my toughest and scariest opponent yet.”
Jones found a lump under his eye, and did not know whether it was a wart or a spot until he went to get it checked out.
The ex-midfielder, best known for his Crazy Gang antics at Wimbledon, said: “When the doctor said I had skin cancer, the first thing I thought was, ‘How long have I got?’ A million and one things go through your head.”
Jones, whose on-screen career took off with his Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels performance, has had three operations to remove cancerous patches: two under his eye and one on his head.
He said he is worried about where he may find another.
“It’s weighing very heavily on me all the time. It has really knocked me for six and made me reassess my life and goals.”
Jones said he had never done much sunbathing, but thinks he developed the disease from working outside on building sites and football training grounds, and taking part in outdoor hobbies like fishing.
He warned others: “If you spot something on your skin that doesn’t feel right, like a little spot or tick, then get it checked out immediately.”