Bruce Foxton, the legendary bassist of The Jam, has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. The 70-year-old musician shared the shocking news on social media just days after cancelling several shows due to illness.
Foxton Shares Health Update on Facebook
In a lengthy Facebook post, Foxton thanked fans for their support and explained the circumstances leading to his diagnosis. He wrote: "Firstly, I just wanted to thank everyone for the messages wishing me well. Your love, support, and understanding means a lot."
Foxton had been forced to cancel a show in Kidderminster on Friday and postpone a performance in Lincoln the following night after suffering from high temperatures that aggravated a chest infection. He said: "It was a difficult decision to cancel the shows last weekend (especially as my bag was packed!), but the brutal heat coupled with an underlying chest infection really knocked me for six, and the medical advice was to rest up while taking medication."
Cancer Treatment Led to Parkinson's Discovery
Foxton addressed speculation about his health, noting that he had previously undergone treatment for cancer and continues to have regular scans. However, he revealed that investigations into issues caused by the cancer treatment uncovered his Parkinson's diagnosis. "It's no secret that I've undergone treatment for cancer and am still having scans on a regular basis to keep an eye on that. However, what you don't know is that the cancer treatment in itself caused some significant issues for me and investigations into all of that uncovered the fact that I'm now facing a future living with Parkinson's Disease…and I'm determined to do that as well as I possibly can," he wrote.
Foxton described the diagnosis as a "huge shock" and admitted it is taking time to sink in. He confessed: "Some days are better than others. Back in May 2025 it was hard to accept that touring with FTJ was no longer an option for me, but being officially diagnosed and having the right meds to help deal with symptoms has given me another chance to carry on doing what I love."
Determined to Keep Performing
Despite the challenges, Foxton expressed his determination to continue performing live. He said: "The response and love we've felt at our gigs has been second to none and I can't thank you enough. With your help I'm going to keep going and playing live for as long as I'm able to do it. It's good for me, my future health and hopefully good for all of you who still enjoy coming along to join with me, Mark, Craig, and Andy to enjoy those great songs. I will be working hard every day to give the best performance possible."
Foxton also clarified that he was not hospitalised, despite rumours. "I'm not sure where the rumour about being in hospital started, but luckily that wasn't necessary," he said.
