James Michael Tyler is "hopeful" chemotherapy will be "effective"

His friend and manager, Toni Benson, told People magazine: "[James has been] through some rough times [but] he wants to live.

"He's going to fight this. Lately he's been having amazing days. He's done his second round of chemo and so far he is doing really well. And he's hopeful it will be effective...

"He has the most amazing attitude. I don't think he's going anywhere for a long time."

Because of the way the disease has spread, James has been left paralysed in his lower body but he is not letting that limit his life too much.

Toni said: "Though he's wheelchair bound, he's very mobile."

The 59-year-old actor's "main focus", apart from his wife, Jennifer Carno, is on "changing people's lives" by raising awareness of prostate cancer.

His manager added: "It's so important to be checked and he wants to spread the word. He's feeling very positive."

James - who played Gunther on 'Friends' - previously explained he'd chosen not to take part in the show's recent reunion in person because he didn't want to "bring a downer" to the show by having to explain his illness in person.

He said: "I wanted to be a part of that, and initially I was going to be on the stage, at least, with them, and be able to take part in all the festivities.

"It was bittersweet, honestly. I was very happy to be included. It was my decision not to be a part of that physically and make an appearance on Zoom, basically, because I didn't wanna bring a downer on it, you know? ... I didn't want to be like, 'Oh, and by the way, Gunther has cancer.'"