Lloyd Webber wrote the UK's 2009 Eurovision Song Contest entry

Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, 61, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it has been disclosed.

His spokesman said in a statement that the condition was currently in its very early stages.

"Andrew is now undergoing treatment and expects to be fully back at work before the end of the year," it said.

Lord Lloyd Webber, composer of Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat, is set to judge a BBC talent show next year.

Lord Lloyd Webber is best known for his musicals which include Evita, Starlight Express and The Phantom of the Opera.

Earlier this month, he launched his new musical Love Never Dies, a sequel to Phantom of the Opera which is due to open in February next year.

He has led three successful BBC series which cast leads for West End musicals: How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?, Any Dream Will Do and I'd Do Anything!

Next year he will launch a new BBC show to find Dorothy and Toto for a new theatrical production of The Wizard of Oz.

He owns seven London theatres including the Theatre Royal Drury Lane and the London Palladium.

Prostate cancer affects around 35,000 men in the UK each year and kills just over 10,000.