Madness' CB Foreman reveals rare cancer diagnosis
The musician said "I'll be back"
Last updated 29th Aug 2025
Madness guitarist CB (Chris) Foreman has revealed he's received a rare cancer diagnosis, after experiencing severe pain in his upper back and shoulders during a concert in June.
The musician shared the news on the band's social media earlier today (Friday 29th August), saying: 'What I’ve got is a form of cancer called myeloma. It’s treatable but not curable. When I get it into remission (I will!) I should be able to get back to normal life.'
It comes after the band performed a series of shows, including a performance in France on 28th June. In the post, he wrote:
'A message to you from me - CB. Dear all, Earlier this year I had severe pain in my upper back and shoulders. On the 28th of June we played a show in France and it had become unbearable. I had an MRI scan at the end of June and they found a tumour on my spine.
'On the 4th of July I went to the Royal Sussex and had all sorts of stuff done to me. I had radiotherapy which blasted it and stopped the pain. I actually had a Spinal Tap too - rock n roll! I wasn’t in good shape, to say the least. My kidneys were only at 14% function, which has greatly improved since then.
'What I’ve got is a form of cancer called myeloma. It’s treatable but not curable. When I get it into remission (I will!) I should be able to get back to normal life. Some people have had this for 20 years or more. I have a long way to go before I get back onstage but I aim to be back next year. The band, my family, my road crew family and my management team have all been very loving and supportive.
'One of the worst side effects is that I can’t drink alcohol but I’ve mastered a non alcoholic Margarita and those Zero alcohol beers ain’t too bad these days. It’s been really hard not being onstage with the band this year. They’ve worked really hard and the shows looked great. I don’t know how they did it without me, to be fair. I won’t be able to do Butlins or the tour this year, which is a great shame but ……”I’LL BE BACK!”
'CB Foreman - Peacehaven, 29th August 2025.' (sic)
Fans were quick to take to the comments to wish the guitarist a 'speedy recovery'. Meanwhile CB's son, Felix Foreman, wrote: 'Love you dad, you’ll be back up and running in no time ❤️'.
Madness have an arena tour lined up for December 2025, visiting venues across the UK from the 4th-20th December, as part of their 'Hits Parade Tour'.
Now check out all the tours coming to the UK this year and beyond:
ABBA - 'ABBA Voyage'
ABBA's virtual tour 'ABBA Voyage' started in May 2022 and has now been extended until August 2026. The tour sees the ABBA avatars accompanied by a 10-piece live band, all taking place in a custom-built arena at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London.
Rick Astley
Rick Astley has announced a huge UK tour with special guest Gabrielle. The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer will perform across the UK with gigs in Glasgow, London, Liverpool, Newcastle and many more, in April 2026.
Toyah Willcox
To celebrate 45 years in the music industry, 80s legend Toyah Willcox will be heading on tour in 2026. Her HUGE tour got underway in March 2026, entitled 'Songs & Stories Tour 2026', she'll take the tour to 49 intimate venues across England, Scotland and Wales — finishing on 14th June 2026.
Paul Carrack
Paul Carrack will be on tour throughout April and May 2026, celebrating 50 years in the music business and the release of his album 'The Country Side of Paul Carrack'. The singer said of the tour: "There's no feeling like performing live with this band. We've been through it all together, and we're excited to bring something new to these incredible venues. It's going to be a big one."
Billy Ocean
In October 2025, Billy Ocean announced dates for his Summer 2026 tour where he will be performing across the UK from May until August. The singer will be joined by special guest, former Wet Wet Wet and solo artist Marti Pellow.
Foreigner
'I Want To Know What Love Is' band Foreigner have announced two UK dates for June 2026. The band will perform their biggest anthems from their back catalogue at the very special concerts.
UB40
UB40 have announced a huge tour taking place in June 2026. The band are expected to perform many of their iconic classic hits from their back catalogue and some brand new tracks which will feature on their upcoming studio album, due for release in Spring 2026.
The Human League
'Don't You Want Me' band The Human League have announced they will be performing a big outdoor show in July 2026. The band, who will be joined by special guests ABC, will be taking to the stage for this one-off show in Leeds.
Boyzone
In September 2025, Boyzone announced they would be reuniting for their largest gigs ever. Due to take place in London on Friday 5th and Saturday 6th June 2026, the band will be playing to 44,000 fans for their shows called 'Two For The Road: Live At Emirates Stadium, London'. Their support acts will be S Club (Friday 5th June) and B*Witched (Saturday 6th June).
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight has announced a huge UK headline tour for 2026 called 'Born to Perform'. The show will see Beverley perform some of her biggest hits as she also takes the audience on a journey through her career of music and theatre. The tour takes place throughout June 2026.
Duran Duran
Duran Duran will headline a huge American Express presents BST Hyde Park gig, with support from the Scissor Sisters. The gig will take place on Sunday 5th July. This year's previously announced BST Hyde Park headliners include Garth Brooks (27th June), Maroon 5 (3rd July), Mumford & Sons (4th July), Pitbull (10th July) and Lewis Capaldi (11th July and 12th July).
Lionel Richie
Lionel Richie will be taking to the stage in August 2026 for a UK exclusive gig. The 'Hello' singer will be performing at the HeritageLive Festivals Royal Sandringham Estate on 20th August.
Westlife
After much excitement and teasing, Westlife revealed they will be playing across the UK in September and October 2026, as part of their 'Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour'. The band will start their UK leg in Aberdeen on Tuesday 29th September, before performing across the UK, ending with FIVE dates in Belfast.
The Stylistics
'Betcha by Golly, Wow' singers, The Stylistics, have announced a huge tour for 2026 in October and November. They will be playing 22 dates across the UK.
Transvision Vamp
The band, fronted by Wendy James, will play dates across the UK, starting in Newcastle on 6th October 2026, before continuing to venues in Glasgow, Leeds, Cardiff, Manchester, London and many more. They will end their tour in Belfast on 1st November.
Tony Hadley
Tony Hadley will be heading out on 'The Christmas Big Band Tour 2026', taking place in November and December 2026. Announcing news of his new tour, Tony told his fans: 'Following the huge success of last year's sold-out tour, The Fabulous TH Band and I are heading back out on the road this November and December for the Christmas Big Band Tour!'
He will perform songs by legendary artists including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and Elvis Presley, along with big band versions of Spandau Ballet's 'True', 'Gold', and 'Through The Barricades'.
Del Amitri
The tour, called 'Past to Present - Four Decades of Their Greatest Music', will open at Leeds O2 Academy on Monday 9th November, and wrap up with two homecoming shows at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom on Sunday 6th and Tuesday 8th December.
Jack Whitehall
Jack Whitehall hosted the BRIT Awards in February 2026, and will be going on his 'Bad Influence' tour in January and February 2027 across the UK. The tour will start in Newcastle on 7th January 2027, and will see the comedian perform across the UK, finally ending in a month later in Derby.
Kim Wilde
Kim Wilde has announced a 13-date UK tour in March 2027. She will be joined by 'I Think We're Alone Now' singer Tiffany. Kim will start her tour in Bristol on 12th March, before travelling across the country and finishing her tour in York on 28th March 2027.
Gabrielle
Gabrielle will be going on a headline tour in March and April 2027, performing at locations such as Portsmouth, Glasgow, Bradford, Newcastle, Bath, London, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and many more. This new tour will mark an exciting new chapter for the singer, who rose to fame following the success of her debut single 'Dreams' in 1993 and her landmark 1999 album 'Rise'.
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