Val Kilmer denies having throat cancer: 'Michael Douglas is misinformed'

Actor Val Kilmer has denied the ongoing speculation he is battling cancer. Michael Douglas recently claimed the Batman Forever actor had been diagnosed with throat cancer and was in a serious condition. However, Kilmer says his former co-star is "misinformed".

During a Q&A event in London on 30 October, Douglas, 72, said "things don't look too good" for his Ghost In The Darkness co-star. However, Kilmer, 56, explains that while he did receive treatment for a lump in his throat, it was not cancerous.

In a Facebook post shared on 2 November, Kilmer wrote: "I love Michael Douglas but he is misinformed. The last time I spoke to him was almost two years ago, when I asked him for a referral for a specialist to get a diagnosis for a lump in my throat, which prevented me from continuing a tour of my play CITIZEN TWAIN. I ended up using a team at UCLA and have no cancer whatsoever. I still have a swollen tongue and am rehabbing steadily."

Speaking to Jonathan Ross at the event, Douglas claimed Kilmer's alleged cancer was the reason for his absence from the spotlight in recent years. Kilmer refutes this claim by stating he has appeared in three films over the last year, including one he directed himself.

The Top Gun actor told his Facebook followers: "Some fans have mistakenly thought my silence about my personal issues meant that somehow I wasn't being responsible to my health, because of my reliance on prayer and Love. Nothing could be further from the truth.

"Altho [sic] I am very grateful for all the support from around the world, when people found out I had a physical challenge. I hope this puts to rest any further concerns about my health by publications that have no respect for the truth. Whatever led Michael Douglas to speculate about my health, he's a loving and devoted friend to a privileged group of talent people around the world, and I'm sure he meant no harm."

Kilmer continued: "Being healthy and having the respect of my peers and love from my family, friends, peers and fans is a DAILY source of inspiration, for which I am so grateful, you have no idea. I work VERY hard at my craft, and being appreciated since I was a little boy for being able to give this gift, has literally made my life."

Rumours of Kilmer's poor health have circulated for several years but the actor has always denied the cancer claims. Douglas revealed he was battling throat and tongue cancer in 2010 but was given the all-clear a year later after undergoing chemotherapy and radiation treatment.