Here's the PA copy ...
Allen Carr - the man who has convinced millions of people to give up smoking - has been diagnosed with lung cancer, it was announced today.
Mr Carr, 73, used to go through 100 cigarettes a day but stopped smoking 23 years ago.
Since then, he has built a global empire on teaching people how to quit. His books have become best-sellers and he runs clinics around the world.
Celebrities such as Charlotte Church, Sir Richard Branson, Ruby Wax and Sir Anthony Hopkins are among those who have resorted to his techniques to give up.
The anti-smoking guru, who is married and has four children and 11 grandchildren, was diagnosed last week and is coming to terms with his illness.
A spokesman for Mr Carr said: "It is not possible to tell if Allen's cancer is linked to his previous 100 cigarette a day addiction.
"Allen has spent many years in smoke-filled rooms since he quit, whilst treating smokers for their addiction.
"He is certain that had he not quit, he would have been dead 20 years ago. He remains in high spirits and sees this latest stage in his remarkable life as an opportunity to make his method even more recognised and widely available."
Mr Carr added: "Since I stopped smoking more than 23 years ago I have been the happiest man in the world - I still feel the same way."
The accountant turned anti-smoking expert developed his Easyway method of giving up smoking in 1983 and set up a clinic in south west London.
He went on to expand his empire and has established 70 clinics in 30 countries which treated 45,000 people last year.
Aside from his tips on how to give up smoking, Mr Carr has moved on to issuing advice on how to stop drinking and lose weight.