Tanned Hollywood icon George Hamilton is urging fans to hit the beach because the sun isn't as bad for you as skin doctors would have you believe.

The actor, who has always maintained a bronzed look, insists cancer has more to do with "pollution and ill health" than sun damage - and he refuses to play it safe in the shade.

Defiant Hamilton, the star of Zorro, The Gay Blade, says, "I think the sun can contribute to keratosis and basal cell carcinoma - things like that which come from sun damage - but it doesn't mean you have sun cancer. I love it when doctors tell you, 'You may have a pre-cancerous lesion,' and I say, 'Pre-cancerous, you mean like pre-dead? You're either dead or you're not dead.' I say, 'Is it melanoma? Now we're talking.' Melanoma you find in countries where people have never been in the sun, where the sun doesn't shine.

"We have a lot of people who believe that everything is wrong. Now we're starting to find out that people are suffering from lack of vitamin D which can be gotten from the sun. My brother said some day they'll find out that a cheeseburger is the best thing for you!"

Check out our slideshow of celebrities who should avoid the sun!

See more photos of George Hamilton here!

Image © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)

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