James Michael Tyler, who'd shot to worldwide fame playing Gunther in the hit sitcom Friends, was announced last last year.Aged only aged 59, a statement from his manager on Sunday, October 24 revealed he'd been battling stage four prostate cancer.He'd been a firm favourite with viewers of the show during its decade-long reign thanks to his deadpan portrayal of the put-upon barista at the local Central Perk coffee house.He'd appeared in 150 episodes of the programme and came to be dubbed 'the seventh Friend' by devotees. At the time of James' death his manager also said, "If you met him once you made a friend for life."James first shared news of his diagnosis in 2018 after his cancer had spread to his bones.The announcement stunned fans as he’d just appeared via a Zoom link on the Friends reunion special in September 2021 and had made no mention of it.The cancer was thought to have been discovered via a routine medical examination when he was 56 years old.Pals said he'd bravely shared his story in an attempt to help as many people as possible and to encourage men to get their prostate checked.Speaking on NBC's Today show, James told host Craig Melvin: "I've been dealing with that diagnosis for almost the past three years.
