McBusted star James Bourne has shared a candid update on his ongoing health battle, nearly a year after he was forced to pull out of the band's tour.
The 42-year-old singer withdrew from the Busted vs McFly arena tour last September, a day before it was due to kick off in Birmingham.
At the time, his bandmates told fans he was “really f***ing sick”.
Earlier this year, Bourne revealed he was preparing to undergo “major surgery to extend my life”, while reassuring fans that “there is hope”.
Now, the singer has announced he will share a fuller explanation of his condition via his Spotify profile after stepping back from Instagram.
Writing on X, he said: “As I'm taking a break from the gram, I'll be posting an update soon about what's going on with my health in my Spotify bio.
“It's a long story. Still not out of the woods yet. Thanks for your support and patience.”
Last month, Bourne opened up about how being forced off the road unexpectedly gave him the time to complete a passion project more than a decade in the making.
At the beginning of July, he released Murder At The Gates, an album written for a new musical with acclaimed American playwright Steven Sater.
“I didn't want my health to stop me from promoting this project because I've put 13 years of my life into it,” he said.
As I’m taking a break from the gram, I’ll be posting an update soon about what’s going on with my health in my Spotify bio . It’s a long story. Still not out of the woods yet. Thanks for your support and patience.
— James Bourne (@JamesBourne) July 24, 2026
Speaking to The Sun, Bourne admitted there had been “a fear of not finishing it”, adding: “But I knew I had to finish it and give this to the people.”
Reflecting on the impact his illness has had on his career, he continued: “With everything going on with my health, I have been given the gift of time. I was given a lot of time back when I wasn't touring. It was like turning a negative into a positive.
“It was such a shame to have to drop out from the tour, because I love touring so much.
“But you have to turn negative into positive. They're the conversations I've had with my closest friends. I wanted to take the time I'd been given and deliver this album.”
The latest update comes after fans noticed Bourne's Instagram account had been deleted earlier this month, prompting concern before the singer confirmed he was taking a break from the platform.
