Madness guitarist Chris Foreman diagnosed with myeloma aims to return

Chris Foreman, the 69-year-old guitarist and founding member of ska-pop band Madness, has revealed he has been diagnosed with myeloma, a treatable but not curable form of blood cancer, and said he is aiming to return to the stage next year. Foreman shared the news in a message posted on the band's official Facebook page on Friday, 29 August, saying the condition followed months of severe pain and medical tests after a June performance in France.

Foreman described developing intense upper back and shoulder pain that became unbearable after the 28 June show. He said an MRI at the end of June detected a tumour on his spine and that on 4 July he underwent procedures at the Royal Sussex hospital, including radiotherapy and what he referred to as a spinal tap. He added that his kidney function had fallen to about 14 percent but has since improved. "What I've got is a form of cancer called myeloma," he wrote. "It's treatable but not curable. When I get it into remission I will! I should be able to get back to normal life."

The musician, known to fans as Chrissy Boy, said the diagnosis has forced him to step back from Madness's concerts this year, including scheduled appearances such as...