Busted star James Bourne has revealed that his brother Chris “saved my life yet again” by donating a kidney to him, after doctors told the musician he had “a few years left to live”.
The 43-year-old guitarist pulled out of the Busted Vs McFly tour just a day before it was due to start in September last year, citing health issues, with Chris stepping in to replace him on stage. In April this year, Bourne said he planned to undergo “major surgery that should extend my life”.
He had not posted a detailed health update since July, when he told fans he was “not out of the woods yet”, and had since deleted his Instagram account.
Brother's life-saving donation
On Monday, Bourne posted on X, sharing a smiling selfie with his youngest brother and writing: “I’m still alive and kicking and it’s all thanks to my brother.” He encouraged fans to read his Spotify bio for a fuller update, where he wrote: “Wow, what the hell happened? One minute you’re heading out on tour, the next thing you know you’re on the bench and out of the game. My condition was serious and the doctors told me I had a few years left to live.”
He continued: “I’m happy to share now that my youngest brother, Chris, who stepped in for me on tour last year, has saved my life yet again. This time quite literally by donating me one of his kidneys. I can’t believe how much better I’m starting to feel already. I’m still going to need some time, but I wanted you to know that we’re both recovering from surgery just fine. My brother is a hero.”
Chris replied to James’ post with the words: “We did it brother.”
Charity and band response
Fiona Loud, policy director of the Kidney Care UK charity, echoed James’ sentiments, saying: “James is absolutely right, his brother is a hero. As are all of those who step forward to be an organ donor for family, friends or even someone they have never even met. We’re pleased that he didn’t need to wait until the year 3000 to receive his transplant, as the kidney waiting list is the longest it’s ever been – so it’s great to see his brother has stepped in to help and was a match.”
She added: “We are very happy for James and Chris, we’re glad to hear they are recovering well, and we hope that James is able to get back to living his life to the full with his brother’s kidney soon.”
Bourne has not given further details of his condition. When announcing his withdrawal from the tour last year, he posted on Instagram that he was “not in good enough health to play these shows”, adding: “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 the medical stuff for now.”
He also said bandmates Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson supported his decision to step down. Before returning in April to announce the planned surgery, Bourne had gone about six months without posting on Instagram. He wrote at the time: “I have a plan in place to have a 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!”
Busted were formed in 2000 and have released four studio albums, achieved four UK number-one singles and won two Brit Awards.
