Matt Willis Updates Fans on Busted Bandmate James Bourne's Health Condition
During a recent appearance on Good Morning Britain, Matt Willis shared a health update concerning his Busted bandmate, James Bourne. This comes after Bourne, aged 42, disclosed last week that he is preparing for major surgery, a worrying development six months after he withdrew from the band's tour due to illness.
Tour Withdrawal and Health Announcements
James Bourne was forced to pull out of the Busted versus McFly tour in September, just one day before it commenced in Birmingham. At the time, his bandmates described him as "really f***ing sick", highlighting the severity of his condition. Earlier this month, Bourne took to social media to explain that he is undergoing "major surgery to extend my life", but he emphasised that "there is hope" for his recovery.
On the ITV morning show, presenters Ranvir Singh and Adil Ray inquired about Bourne's well-being, prompting Willis to respond. He stated, "It happened quite quickly, he got ill just before the tour started, we had to put out of the tour. So we put something out there. But he put something out recently, an update of how he is getting on. Yeah, he's not very well, but he's getting better. He's on the mend." The presenters sent their love, and Willis confirmed he would relay the message, adding that he plans to see Bourne later that day.
Social Media Updates and Fan Concerns
In an Instagram story posted on Saturday, April 4, James Bourne reflected on his six-month absence from social media. He wrote, "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!" This message has resonated deeply with fans, who have expressed widespread concern and support for the musician.
During Busted's first show of the tour last month, Matt Willis addressed the audience about Bourne's absence, saying, "Okay, you may have noticed our best friend is not here tonight. James Bourne is really f***ing sick and we love him and we miss him. This is the first show we've ever played without him and it's really. But we're going do the best we can. Health is wealth." This heartfelt statement underscored the band's solidarity and the importance of Bourne's health.
Background on the Tour and Band Dynamics
The Busted versus McFly tour was a highly anticipated event, featuring joint performances throughout September, October, and November. Initially, the bands described it as a "fight to the death" to determine which group is better, with fans encouraged to support their favourite. Busted, consisting of James Bourne, Charlie Simpson, and Matt Willis, has a storied history with four UK number one singles and over five million records sold worldwide.
In contrast, McFly, comprising Tom Fletcher, Danny Jones, Harry Judd, and Dougie Poynter, boasts 18 consecutive UK top 20 singles and a Brit Award for Best British Pop Act. Notably, in 2013, the two bands merged to form McBusted, a six-piece supergroup, though without Charlie Simpson, who focused on his other musical projects.
Charlie Simpson clarified the current tour's unique setup, stating, "[McBusted] was a different thing. This is very much, we're doing it as two different bands. The way we've set up the show is different to a normal show. It's not a co-headline tour and there are going to be some surprises along the way which people genuinely won't have seen before." This distinction highlights the evolving nature of their collaborations.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX, providing a platform for such updates and discussions.
