Former The Jam bass player Bruce Foxton has revealed he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
It comes after the 70-year-old cancelled a number of UK shows last week due to “illness”, which he said had brought “more speculation about my health”, with Foxton having previously revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer in 2023.
He said in a post on Facebook: “It’s no secret that I’ve undergone treatment for cancer and am still having scans on a regular basis to keep an eye on that.
“However, what you don’t know is that the cancer treatment in itself caused some significant issues for me and investigations into all of that uncovered the fact that I’m now facing a future living with Parkinson’s disease, and I’m determined to do that as well as I possibly can.
“As anyone coping with this diagnosis will know it’s a huge shock, and it’s taking a long time to let that sink in and for me to accept that my body and mind are dealing with something completely out of my control.
“I have to manage the challenges I now face physically and mentally on a daily basis, and some days are better than others.”
Bruce Foxton of The Jam performs at Indigo at The O2 Arena in 2019
Foxton went on to say that being officially diagnosed and receiving medication had helped him to “deal with symptoms” and “given me another chance to carry on doing what I love and what I live for in a relaxed and supportive environment”.
He added: “The response and love we’ve felt at our gigs has been second to none and I can’t thank you enough.
“With your help I’m going to keep going and playing live for as long as I’m able to do it. It’s good for me, my future health and hopefully good for all of you who still enjoy coming along to join with me, Mark, Craig, and Andy (his band members) to enjoy those great songs.
“I will be working hard every day to give the best performance possible.”
(L-R) Paul Weller, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton, circa 1983
Foxton confirmed that last week’s concerts had been cancelled due to an “underlying chest infection” which he said “really knocked me for six”.
In The Jam, who were completed by singer and guitarist Paul Weller and late drummer Rick Buckler, Foxton achieved four UK number one singles and a number one album, their best known songs include Going Underground, Start and A Town Called Malice.
If this story has affected you, support is available through the helplines here
Source: Press Association