Michael Douglas has told a London audience that his close friend and former co-star Val Kilmer has cancer.

The 72-year old actor was discussing working with Kilmer on the 1996 movie The Ghost And The Darkness when he said that "things don't look too good for him".

Douglas, famous for his iconic portrayal of fictitious Walls Street magnate Gordon Gecko, was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2010.

Image: Kilmer has denied several rumours he was suffering from cancer

"Val is a wonderful guy who is dealing with exactly what I had," he told the audience at London's Drury Lane Theatre on Sunday.

Actor Val Kilmer denied rumours earlier this year that he was battling with cancer.


On his Facebook page in February, Kilmer thanked fans for their support, but said he did not have a tumour.

This was taken last Friday when I was released from the hospital and on my way home. FREEDOM!!!! pic.twitter.com/VH5j4kOCvR — Val Kilmer (@valkilmer) February 9, 2015

"I had a complication where the best way to receive care was to stay under the watchful eye of the UCLA ICU," Kilmer wrote, referring to the intensive care unit of the University of California, Los Angeles, Medical Centre.

The actor, who has disclosed in previous interviews that he is a member of the Church of Scientology, also said in the message he was assisted by friends who know his "spiritual convictions" and have helped minimise what he called "gossip and silly talk".

The Batman Forever star later revealed he did have a tumour, but "was healed in a matter of days" last year.

Image: Val Kilmer and rapper 50 Cent at the 2009 American Music Awards

A representative for Kilmer has not yet responded to Douglas' comments.

During the An Evening With Michael Douglas event, the actor also spoke about the difference between making films in the 1970s and "the quality of the work going on in television now."

"Streaming services like Netflix or HBO.. they're a real opportunity to do good work," he said.