Andy Williams Has Bladder Cancer

“Moon River” crooner Andy Williams told the audience at his Christmas show last night that he has been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

Williams said:

“You may have read or heard that I have bladder cancer. It’s true and I’m currently undergoing treatment to deal with it.”

But Williams, now 83, said that he wasn’t worried about his cancer.

Williams said:

“(Bladder cancer) is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They’re kicking it, and they’re winning more and more every year. And I’m going to be one of them.”

The Huffington Post reports that Williams missed several shows in 2011 due to undisclosed health reasons and was expected to miss most of the holiday schedule. The audience was surprised when Andy Williams stepped out onto the stage last night at the “Moon River” theater and gave him a standing ovation.

Williams sang “The Christmas Song” (also known as “Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) and told the audience that he would be back to performing in 2012.

Williams said:

“I’m going to do the shows I’ve planned to do.”

Here’s a video of Andy Williams performing “The Christmas Song.”

Will Christmas be the same without Andy Williams?