Sylvester Stallone has provided a worrying update on his friend and fellow actor Bruce Willis’ health.

In March, the Pulp Fiction actor’s family released a statement confirming that he would be ‘stepping away’ from acting.

This followed news that the actor had been diagnosed with aphasia, a devastating brain condition that affects people’s ability to communicate.

The statement at the time read: “To Bruce’s amazing supporters, as a family, we wanted to share that our beloved Bruce has been experiencing some health issues.

“As a result of this and with much consideration, Bruce is stepping away from the career that has meant so much to him.”

Now, Rocky legend Stallone, 76, has provided fans with a brief update on The Sixth Sense actor’s health – and sadly, it isn’t a positive one.

He told The Hollywood Reporter: “Bruce is going through some really, really difficult times.

“So he’s been sort of incommunicado. That kills me. It’s so sad.”

Stallone took to social media earlier this year to wish the Armageddon star well.

Alongside some Instagram images of Willis, Stallone wrote: “We go back a long way.

“Praying for the best for you and your wonderful family.”

The duo have enjoyed a strong friendship for many years, solidifying their bond while filming The Expendables movies.

However, when Willis did not return to his Mr Church role in the third film, Stallone jibed at his co-star, writing: “Willis out… Harrison Ford in! Great news!

“Been waiting years for this.”

Stallone responded to a concerned fan who asked if they had fallen out, saying: “It’s nothing personal. It’s not like it got personal, and I’m sorry it did sound that way.

“But it was just actors talking, and things move on.

“I think Bruce Willis is a great guy, and he does fantastically entertaining films.”

Last year, The Razzies pulled a cruel Bruce Willis award after there was uproar following his aphasia diagnosis.

The awards ceremony, held a day prior to the Oscars, reportedly created a category specifically for the Hollywood A-lister, titled ‘The Worst Performance by Bruce Willis in a 2021 Movie’.

One person said at the time: “That Bruce Willis [diagnosis] news makes that whole Razzies situation look even more mean-spirited and cruel.”

Willis shot to fame with his portrayal of David Addison Jr in the comedy-drama series Moonlighting between 1985 and 1989, for which he won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in the television series category.

He also won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor on the show.

Since then, he has appeared in more than 100 movies, gaining recognition as one of the US’s finest action film talents.

In 2015, Willis made his debut on Broadway in William Goldman’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novel, ‘Misery’, at the Broadhurst Theatre.

However, his performance was not received well by critics, who branded it ‘vacant’ and ‘inert’.

In 2018, he took the hot seat for The Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis, which saw him take hilarious jibes just as well as he gave them.

The following year, Willis appeared in Glass, which was a high-profile sequel to the 2000 film Unbreakable.

Director M. Night Shyamalan tweeted after Willis’ diagnosis: “Love and respect to my big brother Bruce Willis.”