Busted’s Matt Willis has spoken on stage about why bandmate James Bourne is missing their tour, revealing the singer is “really sick”.
It was announced earlier this week James wouldn’t be able to join Busted as part of their tour with McFly.
In a statement, James said he wouldn’t be performing with bandmates Matt and Charlie Simpson due to health problems - but said he “hoped to come back further down the line”.
Speaking last night on the first evening of the McFly vs Busted tour, bassist Matt told the crowd in Birmingham: “You may have noticed our best friend is not here tonight. James Bourne is really f***ing sick and we love him and we miss him.
"This is the first show we've ever played without him and it's really weird but we're going to do the best we can.
"This happened really fast, y'know, health is wealth."
But there was an unlikely replacement for James, with his brother Chris joining them on stage.
“You might recognise this little guy from the Year 3000 video,” Matt said. “This is James's brother Chris Bourne."
In his original statement, James didn’t say why he is unwell, but said it was clear he needed to take a break from touring.
“There's a lot of information I still don't have about my condition but my bandmates, management and I are unanimous in deciding that I should focus on medical stuff for now,” he said.
"I really hope I can be in a position to come back further down the line. It's still going to be an amazing show and I will miss being there!"
The McFly vs Busted tour sees both groups play sets, before then playing some hits from the supergroup they formed, McBusted.
The bands will be playing a huge five shows at London’s O2 Arena, with the first gigs set for this Saturday and Sunday (September 20 and 21).
The next shows will be on October 30, October 31 and November 1.
At the time of the announcement of the shows, James said: “The whole tour is to find out who’s a better band. Fans can decide.
“They can come and support their band and they might change their mind. It’s going to be a fight to the death.”
