Celebrity Gogglebox favourite Shaun Ryder has opened up about a serious health scare that saw him collapse after a tour, forcing him to miss a close friend's funeral.
Pneumonia Diagnosis During Tour
The Happy Mondays icon appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, 6 January 2026, alongside bandmate Bez. The interview, marking 35 years since their seminal album Pills 'n' Thrills and Bellyaches, took a personal turn when presenter Jon Kay inquired about Ryder's wellbeing.
Ryder revealed he had contracted pneumonia while on the road. "I was on tour [and] I ended up with pneumonia," he stated. To complete the tour commitments, he resorted to taking strong painkillers, describing the old-school mentality of needing to "get the job done."
Collapse After Returning Home
The situation worsened upon his return to the UK. Ryder disclosed that he collapsed the day before the funeral of his friend, Mani, a fellow musician from The Stone Roses. This severe health episode meant he was unable to attend the service, a fact he clearly regretted.
"I got back the day before Mani's funeral and collapsed, so I couldn't even go," the singer explained to hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell.
Recovery and Future Plans
Thankfully, the star is now on the mend. Ryder confirmed that he was prescribed a course of antibiotics, which have aided his recovery. The health update comes as Happy Mondays prepare for a major anniversary tour, set to kick off in March to celebrate their iconic album's 35-year milestone.
Ryder and Bez have been beloved fixtures on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox since joining in 2019, charming audiences with their unfiltered and humorous commentary on television shows.
