Chris Foreman, Madness guitarist, reveals he has incurable blood cancer diagnosis

Chris Foreman, guitarist for Madness, has revealed he has been diagnosed with a treatable but incurable form of blood cancer.

The musician, who is one of the founders of the band, announced the news on a Facebook post yesterday (August 29). In the statement, the 69-year-old said that the cancer is called myeloma, but he still has a “long way to go” before he can get back on stage.

The statement started with Foreman explaining that he had pains in his shoulders and upper back. “Earlier this year I had severe pain in my upper back and shoulders,” it read.

“On the 28th of June we played a show in France and it had become unbearable. I had an MRI scan at the end of June and they found a tumour on my spine. On the 4th of July I went to the Royal Sussex and had all sorts of stuff done to me. I had radiotherapy which blasted it and stopped the pain. I actually had a Spinal Tap too – rock n roll!”

It later said: “What I’ve got is a form of cancer called myeloma. It’s treatable but not curable. When I get it into remission (I will!) I should be able to get back to normal life. Some people have had this for 20 years or more. I have a long way to go before I get back onstage but I aim to be back next year.”

Foreman then thanked his friend and family for their support by saying: “The band, my family, my road crew family and my management team have all been very loving and supportive.”

He then joked: “One of the worst side effects is that I can’t drink alcohol but I’ve mastered a non alcoholic Margarita and those Zero alcohol beers ain’t too bad these days.”

Read the full statement below.

Earlier this year, Madness announced a 2025 ‘Hits Parade’ UK tour with special guests Squeeze.

The tour will have thirteen dates and kicks off at Sheffield Utilita Arena on December 4. The band are expected to be wheeling out classics like ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘House of Fun’ and ‘Must Be Love’.

Although Foreman will not be participating during this tour, it is still planned to go ahead as scheduled. Making stops in Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham and more, Madness will wrap up the tour with a special hometown show at London’s The O2 on December 20. You can find any remaining tickets here.

Madness released their most recent studio album, ‘Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie’, in 2023, the 13th full-length record of their career. It arrived seven years after the release of their last record – 2016’s ‘Can’t Touch Us Now’.

The band teased ‘Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie’ with singles ‘Baby Burglar’ and ‘C’Est La Vie’, as well as an intimate show at the Koko venue in London.

In other news, last year they launched their very own ‘Hour Of Need’ award for fans who wished to nominate “an unsung hero in your life”, allowing fans to thank people for having been there for them or others during challenging times.

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