Slade star Noddy Holder has revealed he has been battling throat cancer for five years and was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed.
His wife Suzan, 57, detailed Noddy’s secret health battle on Thursday in an emotional piece written for Great British Life.
Noddy, 77, underwent a new trial of chemotherapy which has helped to keep him alive.
Suzan wrote: ‘Five years ago we were given the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only had six months to live.
‘I’m sorry if that comes as a bit of a shock; it came as a total bombshell to us too. We coped with it the only way we could, by hunkering down, sticking together and doing everything we could to survive it.
Sad news: Slade’s Noddy Holder, 77, has revealed his secret five year throat cancer battle as his wife Suzan said he was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed
Suzan wrote: ‘Five years ago we were given the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only had six months to live. ‘I’m sorry if that comes as a bit of a shock’ (pictured together in 2003)
Iconic: Noddy is best known for hit band’s hit song Merry Xmas Everyone – pictured in 1972
‘We told only immediate close family and friends and I will never apologise to those we did not confide in, only to those who were forced to suffer pain and anguish alongside us as we attempted to navigate our way through this new and horrifying world.’
Suzan married Noddy in 2004 and said the Merry Xmas Everyone singer has managed to keep a positive outlook despite his health woes.
He received treatment at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and underwent a groundbreaking new form of chemotherapy which has helped keep him alive.
Suzan wrote: ‘There were no guarantees, no one knew if it would have any effect, let alone work miracles, but he responded well. As anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis will know, the experts never like to use the word “cure”, but here we are five years later and he’s feeling good and looking great.
Noddy has been in fine form and was able to perform on stage this summer after being invited on stage by Cheshire musician Tom Seals.
Slade earned themselves six UK Number One singles during their 25-year career.
Their final song to hit the top spot, Merry Xmas Everyone, is their biggest hit and is reported to bring in £500,000 in royalties alone each year.
The band started their days in Wolverhampton in 1966 with the line-up including Dave Hill, Don Powell and Jim Lea, who performed alongside Noddy.
FIrm friends: Noddy pictured (bottom centre) with the rest of Slade, (pictured in 1975)
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk