Music icon Barry Manilow has delivered an optimistic message to his fans, just weeks after revealing a lung cancer diagnosis. The 82-year-old singer shared a cheerful selfie from his hospital bed, signalling a positive step in his recovery journey.
A Smiling Selfie Signals Progress
On Friday, the Grammy-winning "Copacabana" singer took to Instagram with a beaming photograph, simply captioned "Better today!" The post was swiftly flooded with thousands of supportive comments from relieved followers, who had been anxiously awaiting news since his diagnosis was announced in December.
Fans expressed their joy and relief, with one writing, "ALRIGHT! 2026 starting off right with this post!" and another adding, "You don't know how wonderful it is to wake up to this pic!! Been so worried about you!!!!"
The Path to Diagnosis and Treatment
Manilow's health scare was discovered following a prolonged bout of illness. In a statement last month, he explained that after suffering through six weeks of bronchitis followed by a five-week relapse, his doctor ordered an MRI as a precaution.
The scan revealed a cancerous spot on his left lung. The singer emphasised his fortune, stating the early discovery was down to "pure luck (and a great doctor)." He confirmed the treatment plan involved surgery to remove the spot, with no need for chemotherapy or radiation.
"They do not believe it has spread and I'm taking tests to confirm their diagnosis," Manilow shared. "So, that's it. No chemo. No radiation. Just chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."
Rescheduled Shows and a Valentine's Day Return
As a direct result of the necessary medical procedure, the legendary performer was forced to postpone all of his scheduled January concert dates. He apologised to fans for the disruption, acknowledging the disappointment for all involved.
Looking ahead, Manilow is already setting his sights on a return to live performance. He is counting down the days until his planned comeback at the Westgate Las Vegas for Valentine's Day concerts in February. "Something tells me that February weekend is going to be one big party!" he optimistically told his audience.
With a career spanning over six decades and more than 30 studio albums to his name, including hits like "Mandy," "Can't Smile Without You," and "Could It Be Magic," Manilow's positive update will be music to the ears of his global fanbase.
