{"id":457120,"date":"2026-03-04T13:34:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:34:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/457120\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T13:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T13:34:11","slug":"barry-manilow-shares-candid-cancer-update-after-being-forced-to-cancel-gigs-its-agony","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/457120\/","title":{"rendered":"Barry Manilow shares candid cancer update after being forced to cancel gigs: ‘It’s agony’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Barry Manilow has delivered a message to fans regarding his ongoing battle with lung cancer with a video posted to his social media on Tuesday, describing some elements as “agony.”<\/p>\n

The 82-year-old Grammy winner, who underwent surgery in December following his diagnosis, described missing out on performing as “deeply challenging.”<\/p>\n

“It’s been a long ride and since I have no patience, it’s been agony,” he candidly admitted.<\/p>\n

However, the health update was largely positive as the Mandy hitmaker continued: “But I am getting stronger. And I have great doctors and wonderful friends and family, but I am so looking forward to getting back on stage.”<\/p>\n

The beloved singer-songwriter appeared in good spirits during the clip, joking about his appearance and expressing gratitude for the outpouring of support he has received in recent months.<\/p>\n

Mr Manilow’s health scare came to light in December 2025 when medical professionals identified a cancerous growth on his left lung during examinations prompted by a bronchitis episode.<\/p>\n

“The MRI discovered a cancerous spot on my left lung that needs to be removed,” he explained to fans at the time. “It’s pure luck (and a great doctor) that it was found so early.”<\/p>\n

The early-stage lung cancer diagnosis led to surgical intervention to remove the affected tissue, forcing the Copacabana star to halt his farewell tour.<\/p>\n

\"Barry<\/p>\n

Barry Manilow shared his cancer diagnosis in December <\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

GETTY<\/p>\n

Initially, Mr Manilow postponed his January arena performances to allow time for recuperation. <\/p>\n

However, following what he described as a “very depressing visit” with his surgeon late last month, he was forced to reschedule additional dates throughout February and March.<\/p>\n

Despite maintaining a rigorous fitness regime that included exercising three times daily, Mr Manilow revealed he remained unable to perform more than three consecutive songs before needing to rest.<\/p>\n

His surgeon delivered a sobering assessment during their recent consultation, making clear that the physical demands of touring were still an unrealistic aim.<\/p>\n

\"Barry<\/p>\n

Barry Manilow seemed to be in good spirits in huis video update<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

INSTAGRAM<\/p>\n

The singer explained his doctor had told him he “won’t be ready” for a lengthy show.<\/p>\n

He also recalled the medic adding: “You’re in great shape considering what you’ve been through, but your body isn’t ready. You shouldn’t do the first arena shows. You won’t make it through.”<\/p>\n

Mr Manilow’s spirits were lifted by the commercial success of his latest single, Once Before I Go, which has climbed into the top 10 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart.<\/p>\n

“How do you like that? I’m 100-years-old with a top 10 single on the pop charts,” he quipped during the video message.<\/p>\n

\"Barry<\/p>\n

Barry Manilow admitted missing out on performing is ‘agony’<\/p>\n

| <\/p>\n

GETTY<\/p>\n

“Like my grandmother once said, next thing you know, they’ll be walking on the moon.”<\/p>\n

The track, penned by the late Peter Allen and Dean Pitchford, was recommended to Mr Manilow by legendary producer Clive Davis.<\/p>\n

Looking ahead, Manilow expressed enthusiasm about his forthcoming album, What a Time, and pledged to return to the stage with renewed vigour.<\/p>\n

“When I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!” he vowed, with his Las Vegas residency at month’s end and April arena dates firmly in his sights. (sic)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Barry Manilow has delivered a message to fans regarding his ongoing battle with lung cancer with a video…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":457121,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[6491,830,96,128,56,54,55],"class_list":["post-457120","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-celebrities","tag-celebrities","tag-celebrity","tag-entertainment","tag-music","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/457120","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=457120"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/457120\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/457121"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=457120"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=457120"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=457120"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}