Dr Karl Kennedy has diagnosed a lot of medical conditions over the years on Neighbours, but now the actor who has played him for 28 years has spoken publicly a health battle he's been facing.
Alan Fletcher has portrayed Ramsay Street's resident doctor since he first appeared on the Australian soap opera in 1994. He is still a regular member of the show which is due to broadcast its last episode later this year.
However, a number of reports have surfaced recently about Alan's health after people raised concerns with how the 65-year-old was looking. But now the actor has addressed the issue to make sure people are aware of what is going on.
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Speaking to fans in a video on the show's Twitter profile, Alan confirmed that he had been battling health issues recently. However, he said the health issue was in fact alopecia areata, which has led to him losing his hair.
He started off by speaking about the show's last episode, clutching some papers in his hands which he revealed were the script for it. Alan told fans that the final show will be "sensational".
The actor then shifted focus to his health, which he said was the "real reason" behind the video being recorded. He spoke about his diagnosis and said that he was fine and at one point, took off a baseball cap he was wearing to reveal his bald head.
Alan said: "G'day everyone, Alan Fletcher here - Dr Karl talking to you from the Neighbours production set and boy, am I excited. I have in my hot little hands the very last episode of Neighbours ever.
"Now, I know a lot of you are gutted that Neighbours is ending, but I can promise you the end is going to be sensational. So please stay tuned, won't you?
"And the real purpose of this video is a lot of fans have expressed a little concern about my health on the internet and there's been some media inquiries as well. So I just want to put something to rest.
"I'm absolutely fine, I'm fit and well working on Neighbours and having a great time. But I can report to you I do have a disorder called alopecia areata.
"Now, if you watched the Oscars, you know, that's the thing that caused a bit of a discord between Will Smith and Chris Rock. In referencing Will Smith's wife, alopecia areata causes patchy hair loss.
"I started to lose hair into my beard and then on my scalp in patches. So eventually I shaved my beard off and then my hair became so patchy on my head, I had to get rid of most of that as well.
"Now, UK audiences have seen Dr Karl without hair. Australian audiences are going to see it on June 2, so stay tuned for that.
"But while I've got you, I should show you my new look. [Whipping off cap] Ta-da.
"I know a lot of you are going to be pretty shocked, but I have no problem with it. In fact, it's kind of fun.
"But one thing I will say is that alopecia areata can be quite serious for people, particularly from an emotional point of view. Sudden hair loss is really troubling for a lot of people, and particularly for young people who can be terribly bullied. So there is support out there."
He goes on to mention associations in Australia and the UK are available to speak to for anyone with concerns. The tweet includes a link to the Australia Alopecia Areata Foundation's website.
The tweet received dozens of responses, with many saying they were glad Alan is doing well and praised him for speaking about his health. One person wrote: "I have to say Alan Fletcher, I was so glad to see this.
"Not only you have brought awareness to this condition, I was very concerned about you so it was good to see it wasn't anything sinister. I'm glad you have been able accepted the condition with such humour. You look great."
