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Ginger Wildheart has been diagnosed with cancer: “Positivity will prevail and the show will go on”
The Wildhearts’ team have announced that frontman Ginger has been diagnosed with “a rare but aggressive strain of cancer” – but all upcoming gigs are going ahead as planned.
- Words:
- Emily Garner
- Photo:
- Andy Ford
It has been announced by The Wildhearts’ team that frontman and founding icon Ginger has been diagnosed with “a rare but aggressive strain of cancer”, Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL).
In a statement posted on social media today (March 16) entitled IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE WILDHEARTS TEAM, it has been revealed that the musician had been struggling with “severe pains” during last December’s UK headline tour, and now, after seeking “medical tests and investigations”, the “results have been confirmed”.
“During The Wildhearts’ incredible More Satanic Rites UK tour in December 2025, frontman and founding member Ginger Wildheart was experiencing severe pains that some nights forced him to take some short breaks from stage,” the statement reads. “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.
“Away from the tour Ginger has sought medical tests and investigations to establish the cause of the ongoing issue. The results have been confirmed and we are saddened to report that Ginger has been diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) – a rare but aggressive strain of cancer.”
It continues that right now Ginger is in “fine fettle”, and that he’s even continuing to write new material. On top of that, all planned live shows – including next month’s appearance at Takedown Festival – will also be going ahead.
“While we process this news and await further medical advice, Ginger wants everyone to know that strength and positivity will prevail and the show will go on,” the post adds. “Make sure you come and see The Wildhearts – sounding bigger and more refreshingly amazing than ever – at a venue near you soon.”
The entire Kerrang! team sends our love and well wishes to Ginger at this time.
Catch the band live at the following:
The Wildhearts UK tour dates
April
2 Liverpool Hangar 34
3 Portsmouth Takedown Festival
4 Trowbridge Town Hall
5 London Signature Brew Haggerston
May
27 Hull Social
28 Aberdeen The Lemon Tree
29 Dundee Beat Generator Live
30 Stirling Tolbooth
31 Edinburgh La Belle Angele
Read this next:
- “Even when I was a crack-head, I was still writing”: How Ginger Wildheart became British rock’s greatest survivor
- The Darkness: “I don’t want to be ‘relevant’ in a world of banal, homogenised bullshit. I’d rather be irrelevant – and irreverent”
- Andy Cairns: “We always tried to leaven the pain through our way of dealing with life itself – and that was to laugh at it”
