INQUISITR.COM / Entertainment

Morrissey Reveals Cancer Diagnosis: ‘If I Die, Then I Die.’

By Dustin Wicksell
Published on: 02:17 PST, Oct 7, 2014

Morrissey, former singer of The Smiths, has revealed that he has been hospitalized several times over the past 18 months as doctors treat him for cancerous tissue.

Morrissey made the admission during a Spanish language interview with El Mundo, according to The Guardian. The 55-year-old songwriter didn’t reveal what type of cancer he is suffering from, insisting that he isn’t afraid of death.

“They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever,” Morrissey said. “If I die, then I die. And if I don’t, then I don’t. Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that’s what illness can do. I’m not going to worry about that, I’ll rest when I’m dead.”

Health issues have plagued Morrissey for several years, as The Daily Mail notes. The former frontman of The Smiths has suffered from a bleeding ulcer, a double bout of pneumonia, and food poisoning in 2013, while a respiratory infection in June 2014 forced the cancellation of a US tour.

Morrissey also noted his age in the interview, comparing himself to classical composers who have gone before him.

“I’m at an age when one should no longer be making music. Many composers of classical music died at age 34. And I’m still here, and nobody knows what to do with me… The audience that I have is very young, which leads me to think that the songs of The Smiths, as with those of the Ramones, are more significant now than before…”

The singer is also working on his debut novel, the composition of which he described as “coming along well.” Morrissey noted, however, that he thought it presumptuous to discuss the unfinished work.

“It will probably be published next year and with luck I will be able to stop singing forever, which would make many people happy!” Morrissey said.

World Peace Is None Of Your Business, Morrissey’s first solo album in five years, was released in July, as the Inquisitr noted at the time. In August, less than a month after the album’s release, Morrissey claimed to have parted ways with his label, Harvest Records. At a recent live show in London, Morrissey and his band wore disparaging t-shirts that expressed their ire at Harvest.

Despite the other illnesses he has recently suffered, the interview marked Morrissey’s first mention of cancer.

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