Showbiz

James Bourne shares rare health update after McBusted star underwent surgery ‘to extend his life’

The 42-year-old singer announced he would be stepping away from the Busted vs McFly arena tour last September, a day before it was due to begin in Birmingham

James Bourne shares rare health update after McBusted star underwent surgery ‘to extend his life’
James Bourne shares rare health update after McBusted star underwent surgery ‘to extend his life’The 42-year-old singer announced he would be stepping away from the Busted vs McFly arena tour last September, a day before it was due to begin in Birmingham

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McBusted star James Bourne has shared a candid update on his ongoing health battle, nearly a year after he was forced to pull out of the band's tour.

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The 42-year-old singer withdrew from the Busted vs McFly arena tour last September, a day before it was due to kick off in Birmingham.

At the time, his bandmates told fans he was “really f***ing sick”.

Earlier this year, Bourne revealed he was preparing to undergo “major surgery to extend my life”, while reassuring fans that “there is hope”.

LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 09:  Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Dougie Poynter, Harry Judd, James Bourne and Matt Willis of McBusted pose for portraits to announce their date at Barclaycard presents British Summertime on 6th July in Hyde Park on December 9, 2013 in London, England. James Bourne, pictured with his McBusted bandmates in 2013, admitted he is ‘still not out of the woods’Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Now, the singer has announced he will share a fuller explanation of his condition via his Spotify profile after stepping back from Instagram.

Writing on X, he said: “As I'm taking a break from the gram, I'll be posting an update soon about what's going on with my health in my Spotify bio.

“It's a long story. Still not out of the woods yet. Thanks for your support and patience.”

Last month, Bourne opened up about how being forced off the road unexpectedly gave him the time to complete a passion project more than a decade in the making.

At the beginning of July, he released Murder At The Gates, an album written for a new musical with acclaimed American playwright Steven Sater.

“I didn't want my health to stop me from promoting this project because I've put 13 years of my life into it,” he said.

Speaking to The Sun, Bourne admitted there had been “a fear of not finishing it”, adding: “But I knew I had to finish it and give this to the people.”

Reflecting on the impact his illness has had on his career, he continued: “With everything going on with my health, I have been given the gift of time. I was given a lot of time back when I wasn't touring. It was like turning a negative into a positive.

“It was such a shame to have to drop out from the tour, because I love touring so much.

“But you have to turn negative into positive. They're the conversations I've had with my closest friends. I wanted to take the time I'd been given and deliver this album.”

The latest update comes after fans noticed Bourne's Instagram account had been deleted earlier this month, prompting concern before the singer confirmed he was taking a break from the platform.