BUSTED’S Matt Willis today gave a health update on James Bourne after the star revealed he was having “life extending” surgery.
The singer, 42, was forced to pull out of the band’s tour last year with just hours to go after falling seriously ill.
Last week, after months of silence, James revealed he was having “major surgery” in a bid to “extend his life”.
Today, his best pal Matt, who he has known for over two decades, gave an update on his good friend’s health battle.
Asked on Good Morning Britain about how James’ condition and how he was doing, the star replied: “Ah, I mean, it happened quite quickly.
“He got ill just before the tour started, so he had to pull out of the tour, so we kind of put something up there.
“But he put something out recently, kind of an update of how he’s getting on.
“And, you know, he’s not very well, but he’s going to be… he’s getting better.
“You know, he’s on the mend.”
Matt also added that he was “seeing James later”.
It comes just days after James issued a worrying update to his fans last Saturday.
“I realised it’s been about six months since I posted last,” he wrote on an Instagram story.
“I have a plan in place to have major surgery that should extend my life and hopefully make me well enough to come back to what I love the most which is touring and making music.
“It really sucks to be out of the game.
“But there is hope!”
James and Matt shot to fame alongside Charlie Simpson when Busted arrived on the pop scene in 2002 with What I Go To School For.
The band split a few years later, and then reformed in 2015, much to the delight of fans, and have been together ever since.
However, in September James pulled out of the band’s tour with McFly with just hours to spare.
In his statement, the singer cited health problems and said he “hoped to come back further down the line”.
He wrote: “The VS tour kicks off tomorrow night in Birmingham and as excited as I’ve been all year for this tour to begin, I’m really sorry to say that over the last 8 days it has become clear that I am not in good enough health to play these shows,”
Although he didn’t disclose what the health issue is, James said at the time: “There’s a lot of information I still don’t have about my condition but my bandmates, management and I are unanimous in deciding that I should focus on medical stuff for now.
“I really hope I can be in a position to come back further down the line.
“It’s still going to be an amazing show and I will miss being there!”