Speaking publicly for the first time, Ryan ONeal didn’t deliver a very encouraging prognosis for his long time partner, Farrah Fawcett, who has been battle cancer for the past 5 years.

Attempting to draw on his experience of his character Oliver Barrett 1V in the 1970 movie Love Story, in which he starred with Ali McGraw, ONeal, 68, said, ‘I just don’t know how to play this one. I won’t know this world without her. It’s a love story.’ He added: ‘I can’t hear a song, I can’t pass places that we were together, without being stabbed in the heart.

But drawing on his real life love for the ex Charlie’s Angel star, Ryan is standing by her and offering his support, and on occasions the incidental lie to protect her from further distress. Telling People news, ‘a week ago Farrah said to me, ‘Am I going to make it?’ I said, ‘Yes, you’ll make it. And if you don’t, I’ll go with you’. ‘

Ryan has also kept from Farrah, 62, the news that their son, Redmond ONeal is currently incarcerated is in jail after a parole violation for being in possession of drugs.

Redmond was allowed out for three hours recently to visit his mother but he also expresses his concern about his mother’s fate saying, ‘I don’t want to be in jail and have some guard tell me she is gone.’

Along with keeping the truth from his mother, Ryan is also keeping the truth from Redmond when has asks about her health ONeal told People, ‘I told him, ‘She’s rebounding.’ I lied to him. I lie to her. It’s the best thing.’