Oasis guitarist Paul 'Bonehead' Arthurs has announced he's been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will take a planned break from the band's historic reunion tour. The 60-year-old musician revealed the news on social media, saying he'll miss upcoming shows for treatment.
Arthurs shared his diagnosis in a heartfelt message to fans on X. He wrote: "Early this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. The good news is I'm responding really well to treatment, which meant I could be part of this incredible tour."
The guitarist will miss shows in Seoul, Tokyo, Melbourne and Sydney for the next phase of his care. "I'm really sad to be missing these shows but I'm feeling good and will be back ready to go in time for South America," he explained, adding he'll return to the stage with the band in November.
Treatment progress
Arthurs emphasised his positive response to treatment, which allowed him to participate in the early stages of the tour. According to Metro, he's specifically scheduled to return for the Buenos Aires show on November 15th.
This marks Arthurs' second cancer diagnosis in recent years. In April 2022, he revealed he had been diagnosed with tonsil cancer but successfully completed treatment by September of that year, celebrating his recovery by writing: "I had a full scan 10 days ago and it's all clear, it's gone."
Reunion catalyst
Arthurs played an instrumental role in bringing estranged brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher back together for the tour. The guitarist is credited as one of the main reasons Oasis reformed after their 15-year split.
During the Cardiff shows that kicked off the tour, Noel Gallagher praised his old friend on stage. He told the crowd: "On guitar, if it wasn't for him none of this would have f**king happened in the first place, Mr Bonehead."
Historic tour context
The reunion tour has generated massive global interest, with Liverpool Echo reporting unprecedented ticket demand from 158 countries for the UK shows alone. The tour marks Oasis's first performances together in almost 16 years.
Prostate cancer affects one in eight men in the UK, with early detection and treatment often leading to positive outcomes. According to The Standard, Arthurs' openness about his diagnosis helps raise awareness about the importance of regular health checks for men.
Sources used: "Mirror", "Liverpool Echo", "Metro", "The Standard" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
