Stefan Karl Stefansson is best known as LazyTown’s villain Robbie Rotten (Picture: CEN)

Icelandic actor Stefan Karl Stefansson – best known as LazyTown villain Robbie Rotten – is in the ‘final stages’ of his cancer battle, his wife has confirmed.

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Steiunn Olina revealed the sad news on Facebook, saying that the 41-year-old actor was suffering from a rare form of the disease which had now reached stage four.

‘Stefan has bile-duct cancer (cholangiocarcinoma), a rare and little-researched disease,’ she wrote.

‘The disease is now advanced to stage four, and therefore, his life expectancy is unfortunately significantly reduced.’


The character was forever coming up with schemes to restore LazyTown back to its old lazy self (Picture: CEN)

However she added that they had not given up hope and would face the future bravely, saying: ‘Although the chances and statistics are not in our favour, and Stefán’s candle burns quickly, we will not be scared of fear.’



A GoFundMe campaign has been underway to pay for treatment for the actor – which so far has raised around £110,000.

‘Despite the best efforts of his excellent Icelandic medical team, and Stefan’s personal heroism, there is no apparent cure,’ said organiser Mark Valeti.

‘He went on: ‘There are always experimental processes, and they will be woven into the fabric of Stefan’s care if at all possible.’

Stefan wrote on Facebook that he was ‘moved and very grateful’ at the support he had received from fans – and said in a recent Instagram post he was ‘doing well’ before the latest sad news was announced.

LazyTown, which originally debuted in 2004, followed the efforts of pink-haired girl Stephanie and superhero Sportacus to liven up the titular town and encourage its residents to lead more active lifestyles.

However Robbie Rotten would regularly concoct schemes in a bid to outwit them and restore the town to its former lazy self.

The show was aired on CBeebies in the UK, along with spin-off show LazyTown Extra – featuring the characters in a series of sketches – which debuted in 2008.

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