Singer Brian Kennedy has admitted he is very worried about the coronavirus since cancer left his immune system weak.
The Belfast star was diagnosed with rectal cancer in the summer of 2016 and underwent a number of gruelling bouts of chemotherapy and surgery to treat the disease.
The 53-year old had his last round of chemo last summer and admits the pandemic has been extra worrying as his defences are low.
Brian said: “Of course it was a worry, the coronavirus is a brand new virus, so you don’t know how your body is going to react to it.
“I’m doing everything the HSE is telling us to do, I’m staying in as much as possible, I’m constantly washing my hands and disinfecting everything.
“I haven’t been over the door except to buy food.
“The thing about chemotherapy is it really compromises your immune system, I finished chemo last June, so it’s not even a year yet.
“So you have to be extra careful about what you’re doing, I’ve been really looking after myself.”
Speaking to Alan Hughes on Ireland Am yesterday morning the much loved crooner admitted getting the common cold was even more cause for concern.
He told the Virgin Media One presenter: “I’ve had a couple of colds, in the last say eight months, even as recently as a couple of weeks ago.
“I had a wee bit of a head cold, a little bit of a temperature, I was thinking what’s this, I didn’t have a sore throat or anything like this and actually in a few days I was back to normal.
“My heart goes out to anybody who’s supposed to be having chemo and the dates are being moved, it’s a very worrying time, but honestly try and keep calm you’re going to get through it.
“One day at a time is my advice and wash your hands of course.”
The proud ambassador for Action Cancer is urging the men of the nation to get tested for prostate cancer.
He said: “What I’m saying to people at home especially men is don’t be afraid to get tested and honestly it’s not the end of the world, it’s the start of a new world and a new reality.
“I’ve been busier than ever and now I’m glad to report I’m back shaking my booty on stage.”
The star is normalising cancer adding: “Action Cancer is a charity that’s very close to my heart these days, I suppose it’s unusual for them to have an ambassador that’s actually been through cancer.
“Especially me with the twins as they call them the bags, the colostomy and the ileostomy.
“I’m also prepared to get up on stage and give motivational speeches as to what it’s like to live day to day with the twins, with getting up on stage and having a colostomy bag and what that’s like.”
