Barry Manilow Shares Health Update After Cancer Battle
Music legend Barry Manilow has opened up about his health following a battle with stage one lung cancer, admitting the recovery process was 'rough.' The 82-year-old singer, known for hits like 'Copacabana,' appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, June 9, to discuss his journey and upcoming UK tour.
Diagnosis and Surgery
Manilow was diagnosed with stage one lung cancer in December 2025 after experiencing persistent bronchitis. Doctors discovered a cancerous spot during an MRI scan, leading to surgery to remove the tumour. The procedure required a seven-day hospital stay, during which he also contracted pneumonia unexpectedly.
In a pre-recorded interview with BBC Breakfast reporter Charlotte Gallagher, Manilow recalled: 'It was seven days in ICU. It wasn't so much the surgery that got me, it was the pneumonia that got me. I could have gone home after the surgery. They threw that tumour in the garbage and I could have gone home. It was the pneumonia that kept me in the hospital for a long time.'
Recovery and Return to Stage
The singer admitted that the time away from performing was 'agony.' He said: 'I have no patience. I know the doctors said that it would take a while for everything to come back but it was agony. I hated just sitting and waiting. They really did a number on me and it took a long time to recover from it. It really was longer than I thought. I like being with my crew and their family. So that's what I was missing.'
Despite the challenges, Manilow is now feeling 'great' and has resumed his UK tour, which kicked off in Glasgow on June 9. The tour includes stops in Liverpool, Leeds, London, and other cities, where he will perform his iconic hits such as 'Mandy,' 'Copacabana (At the Copa),' and 'I Wanna Do It With You.'
New Album 'What a Time'
In addition to his tour, Manilow released a new studio album titled 'What a Time' on June 5. The 13-track album is his first collection of predominantly original songs in nearly 15 years and features collaborations with singer Kenneth 'Babyface' Edmonds, nine-time Grammy winner Dave Cobb, and co-writers Bruce Sussman and Adrienne Anderson.
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.
