A gravely ill Mark 'Chopper' Read talks everything from cancer to his new show with Herald Sun's Nui Te Koha.

THERE are reports this afternoon that Mark Brandon "Chopper" Read is dead.

The notorious criminal and author, whose life story was turned into the eponymous film "Chopper" in 2000, was 58.

Read was discharged from Royal Melbourne Hospital earlier this week after receiving treatment for liver cancer.

He was diagnosed with liver cancer in April last year and he also has cirrhosis. He said his illness started after contracting hepatitis C while in prison.

Read spent more than 23 years in jail up until 1998 for crimes including armed robbery, assault and kidnapping.