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Cancer diagnosis singer in 'positivity' plea

Jonny ManningNorth East and Cumbria
News imageGetty Images Ginger Wildheart performs with The Wildhearts at The 1865 in Southampton on 16 March 2025. He has long hair in dreadlocks, a short beard and moustache and is wearing a leather jacket and an anarchy symbol and razor blade around his neck. He has musical notes tattooed along the base of his neck and there is a blue scarf with white polka dots tied to his microphone stand. He is singing into a microphone.Getty Images
Ginger Wildheart has revealed to fans he is suffering from a "rare but aggressive" cancer

Rockband frontman Ginger Wildheart has revealed he has been given three years to live following a cancer diagnosis.

The singer, who fronts Newcastle rock band The Wildhearts, is suffering from a rare form of cancer called Mantle Cell Lymphoma, but said he has refused treatment.

His condition came to light during the band's More Satanic Rites tour in December, when Wildheart was forced to take short breaks from stage due to severe pain.

"No misery please, positivity all the way," he said, in a statement on social media. "I've lived the life of 10 men and will die with dignity."

The 61-year-old from South Shields added: "Still got 2-3 years to say goodbye to everyone. And I'll be rocking until the very last moment."

News imageGetty Images Vocalist and guitarist Ginger Wildheart (L) and bassist Danny McCormack of English hard rock group The Wildhearts performing live on stage at KOKO in London, on 2 December 2018. Wildheart has a low slung white semi-acoustic six string guitar with many images on it, reminiscent of tattoo flash art. He is wearing a black t-shirt with an image on the front. McCormack has a mustard and black bass and wears a black peaked cap. Behind them is the drummer behind a black kit and the Wildhearts logo, in orange and yellow, is hanging on a black fabric behind the drum riser.Getty Images
The Wildhearts said previously announced gigs would go ahead

The band broke the news to fans in a message on social media and described the cancer as "rare but aggressive".

But despite the pain he experienced, the band said Wildheart continued to perform for the duration of the tour.

"Determined not to upset the band's loyal fans - new and old - Ginger took painkillers to ensure the rock 'n' roll was delivered, without missing a riff," the band said.

"Right now Ginger is in a fine fettle, continuing to write songs that will be released under the guise of The Wildhearts and as solo projects in the future."

The band said all currently announced concerts would go ahead and more gigs were still to be announced.

"While we process this news and await further medical advice, Ginger wants everyone to know that strength and positivity prevail and the show will go on," the band said.

The Wildhearts formed in Newcastle in 1989 and have had several top 20 singles and two top 10 albums.

There most recent album Satanic Rites of the Wildhearts was released in 2025.

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