Morrissey has revealed in a Spanish newspaper interview that he has received treatment for cancer.
The legendary former Smiths singer, who began his latest tour in Lisbon last night, has been hospitalised on several occasions in the last 18 months but has now revealed that doctors have also been dealing with “cancerous tissues”.
He told El Mundo: “They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever. If I die, then I die. And if I don’t, then I don’t.
“Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that’s what illness can do. I’m not going to worry about that, I’ll rest when I’m dead.”
Ill health has forced the early abandonment of at least two Morrissey tours in recent years. He was diagnosed with a bleeding ulcer in early 2013, double pneumonia in March 2013, food poisoning in July 2013 and then a respiratory infection in June 2014.
No official news is known about his condition.
Born in Davyhulme, Morrissey rose to prominence as the lead singer of The Smiths, one of the most influential bands of the last 30 years.
This summer he released a critically acclaimed new album World Peace Is None of Your Business, his first in five years, but fell out with Harvest, the record label, soon after.
Last year he released a bestselling autobiography and is hoping to publish his first novel next year.
He added in El Mundo: “I’m now at an age when I should no longer be making music… Many composers of classical music died at age 34. And I’m still here, and nobody knows what to do with me.”
Morrissey has been living in Stockholm recently but last night began a European tour in Lisbon. He is scheduled to play a date at the O2 Arena in London on November 29.
He has strong associations with Altrincham as his mother lives in Bowdon and he has other family members in the area.
Below: Morrissey performing in Lisbon last night. Pic: Everything Is New
