Elvis Costello reveals cancer diagnosis and cancels European tour dates

The musician has had an operation to remove the cancer

(Rex Features)

Elvis Costello has been diagnosed with cancer and cancelled the remaining six tour dates of his European tour.

The musician revealed on his website that, six weeks ago, a specialist said he had “a small but very aggressive cancerous malignancy” that could be defeated by a single surgery.

After undertaking the surgery to remove the cancer, the singer-songwriter hoped to get back on the road despite being warned to take three to four weeks to recover. Following dates around Europe, Costello decided to halt the tour to better recover.

“The spirit has been more than willing but I have to now accept that it is going to take longer than I would have wished for me to recover my full strength,” Costello wrote.

After expressing apologies to those who were hoping to attend shows in Manchester, Pula, Graz, Vienna, Tysnes and Rattvik, Costello concludes the statement by issuing a warning to men in particular (at no point does Costello name the type of cancer).

“Gentleman, do talk to you friends – you’ll find you are not alone – seek your doctor’s advice if you are in doubt or when it is timely and act as swiftly as you may in these matters. It may save your life,” he writes. ”Believe me, it is better than playing roulette.”

Costello, one of Britain’s most celebrated musicians, also announced that himself and The Imposters have a “magnificent new record” coming soon.