Sunbed may kill me, says soap actor

A young TV actor who developed skin cancer has blamed his illness on his sunbed addiction.

Ex-Hollyoaks star Andy Newton-Lee was diagnosed three months ago and doctors said he would die in a year without treatment.

The 24-year-old, who has no family history of skin cancer, said his desire for fame had left him fighting for his life.

Newton-Lee, who also appeared in Coronation Street, said he had used sunbeds three times a month for nine years because he felt so much pressure to look good for his career.

He added: 'Nobody wants to see a pasty torso and there is lots of shirts-off stuff in Hollyoaks. I wanted to look healthy, so I used sunbeds. But it's the biggest mistake I ever made. It could be the death of me.' Andy, who lives in Hull, will learn today if an operation to remove cancerous cells has been a success.

He had lumps, identified as malignant melanoma - the deadliest type of skin cancer - removed from his legs.

The actor said: 'The doctor told me my type of cancer can quickly travel up lymph nodes to your groin and pancreas.

'I thought, "This is crazy. I'm only 24".'