Colin Firth 's ex-wife, Livia, has revealed she has undergone surgery for breast cancer. The filmmaker, 54, revealed she is now recovering from the operation and insists an early diagnosis helped to save her life. Livia took to Instagram to give her followers an update, sharing a number of images throughout her recovery period.

Her caption read: "I thought about this post a lot, and have decided to do it as prevention saved me." She continued: "Few weeks ago, thanks to regular yearly mammogram, my doctor (wonderful woman called Margherita) made an early diagnosis which was further investigated and revealed a carcinoma insitu. The beginning of a cancer which would have turned real bad in few months and which I promptly removed and now it’s gone.

"Thank you to the amazing @ieoistitutoeuropeodioncologia and all the team there who were so incredible. I am SO lucky that this did not go any further, SO grateful as I have the privilege of access to great medical care, SO aware that there are millions of people who do not and I am not taking any of it for granted." Fans were quick to comment on her upload, with actress and producer Trudie Styler, who is married to Sting, being among those sharing their thoughts.

Trudie wrote: "Livia -so happy and relieved to hear that you caught this at the earliest stage -sending love and get well wishes." Human rights activist Grace A Forrest also wrote: "Thank you for sharing you legend," while another user said: "So happy to hear the cancer was.