He shared how it was impacting his music career and although he was unable to see a lyric, he was hopefule things could improve.

He has now spoken to Variety in a new interview, and has given another update on his wellbeing, adding that the ongoing issues with his sight have felt “devastating”.

Elton John explained, “Because I lost my right eye and my left eye’s not so good, the last 15 months have been challenging for me because I haven’t been able to see anything, watch anything, read anything.”

He added that he still has hope, “I’ve had the most incredible life, and there is hope. I’ve just gotta be patient that someday science will help me with this one. Once they help me with this one, I’ll be fine.”

The latest interview comes after he opened up last year about other health issues he has been facing, and told fans in October last year that “there’s not much of me left” following multiple surgeries.

At the premiere of his documentary Elton John: Never Too Late, he said, “I don’t have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don’t have a prostate, I don’t have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee. In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here.”

Given his health struggles, Elton John had confirmed that would not be touring again after his ‘Farewell Yellow Brick Road’ tour ended in July 2023, but he then later said he would perform “the odd show”, giving fans the chance to see the music icon perform once more. These have included the 50th annual Candelight Concert in the US last December and the opening of the Stonewall National Momument Visitor Center last summer.

Earlier this week, he was confirmed as the first headliner for Rock In Rio 2026.

When speaking about this confirmation, he said, “I’ve always had a fantastic time whenever we’ve played in Brazil. I didn’t manage to get to South America for the farewell tour, so when Rock In Rio asked me to play, I said ‘yes’ immediately.”

“I love my Brazilian fans, they hold such a special place in my heart. The energy these big one-off shows have been giving me since I stopped touring is unbeatable. As a band, we’re playing brilliantly and we’re sounding as good as we ever have, and, importantly, we’re still really loving playing together. I really cannot wait to return to Brazil next summer.”

Posting a video on Instagram, he said that he’s been feeling an odd sensation since having his pacemaker fitted, asking his followers if they had any advice or knew anyone with the same experience.

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A post shared by Max George (@maxgeorge)

He said, “I’m in the hospital tomorrow for another check-up because I’ve been getting this flicking feeling in the left side of my chest. I’m actually getting it right now.” Reaching out to his fans, he asked “I was wondering if you guys knew what it might be or if you’ve experienced it yourself because the doctors aren’t too sure.”

Last month, the singer revealed that he’d been hospitalised after some tests found that he had issues with his heart. He sought help after feeling “really unwell”, and it was later confirmed that he’d need surgery for a heart condition. Later, he gave an update, explaining that he had a “2:1 block” in his heart – an issue with that makes it beat slower or more irregularly than it should.

He then underwent surgery to have a pacemaker fitted and was discharged from hospital on Christmas Day. He later shared an image after surgery, showing that his pacemaker was placed beneath a tattoo the reads ’04.08.1988’ – the birthdate of his former bandmate Tom Parker, who passed away in 2022 after battling brain cancer.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Max George (@maxgeorge)

In his first public appearance since having his pacemaker fitted, he was seen out yesterday, January 2, on a winter walk with his mother and his dog. After being discharged from hospital at Christmas, George spent most of his time at home with his girlfriend, actress Maisie Smith, before travelling to his mother’s home in Salford.

Recently in an interview with Lorraine, Max and his Wanted bandmate Siva Kaneswaran revealed plans for a music comeback as a duo, branding themselves “The Wanted 2.0”. The Wanted were originally a five piece, before taking a hiatus in 2014. The British-Irish boyband reunited for new releases and performances, before the passing of Tom Parker.

Speaking of the other bandmates, George said, “We had lots of conversations with the other boys and each other. The other boys are so happy doing what they’re doing and they’re really focussed on their lives and their careers. Me and Siva were just constantly like we want to get out there and continue the legacy of the band.” Kaneswaran added, “We missed being in the band… We really wanted to get back on stage.”

They also expressed that their comeback would honour their late bandmate Tom, saying they want to “have him with us the whole way”. The Wanted 2.0 have their first concert scheduled at Manchester Cathedral on Feb 27th – you can book tickets here.

In a post on Instagram, she said the diagnosis was something she “never saw coming” and that she’s “still processing this unexpected reality.” She wrote that “this diagnosis has tested me in ways I never imagined, but it has also given me a renewed sense of purpose”, reminding us that “life isn’t just about how long you live; it’s about how deeply you live.”

Speaking to a friend in her video, she confidently told them that she believes “these things happen for a reason. I’ve overcome so many things in my life, this is another thing that I’ll overcome.” She also encouraged others to be alert and aware of their wellbeing – “Be proactive, be the CEO of your own health”, recommending getting tests, namely FIT (fecal immunochemical tests) and being vigilant if something doesn’t feel right.

 

 

 

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A post shared by Kanya King CBE (@kanyakingcbe)

Kanya, the founder and CEO of the MOBO awards, was recently awarded the 2024 LIVEtime Achievement honour at the music industry’s LIVE Awards, recognising her incredible contribution to the industry and culture since the 90’s.

While working as a TV researcher after studying at Goldsmiths University, she realised there was no British awards ceremony celebrating black music and its influence. Setting out to make her own, she struggled to find financial backing – determined to make it a reality, she re-mortgaged her house to fund the TV production. She then persuaded Carlton TV to broadcast the first ceremony in 1996 at London’s Connaught Rooms, managing and organising the event within just six weeks.

The MOBO’s have been a driving force in shining a spotlight on British music that might not receive the recognition it deserves elsewhere – celebrating and giving categories to genres like Jungle, Garage, Grime and Drill.

Their shows have been star-studded spectacles before, welcoming appearances from international stars throughout the years like Lauryn Hill, Damien Marley and 50 Cent. They’ve also helped to platform talent on their rise to fame, giving the Best Newcomer accolade to artists like Akala, Kano, Ms Dynamite before their mainstream breakthroughs, and giving Stormzy the award for Best Grime Act in 2014 when he was on the cusp of stardom.

As well as the groundbreaking awards ceremony, the MOBO’s organization does charitable work through the MOBO Trust, advancing education in the performing arts for young people with diverse backgrounds. The organization also runs programmes to provide opportunities to emerging talent to aid their creative development, as well as providing grants to support the careers of talented artists.

In another Instagram post, the MOBO’s shared the news of Kanya’s diagnosis and commended her resilience and wished her well. They said she “remains unshakeably determined and full of purpose”, setting her sights on being at the next awards “to celebrate the achievements of our community.”

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Next year’s MOBO Awards nominees have been announced recently with an exciting shortlist: grime legends like Bashy and Ghetts, R&B stars including Jorja Smith and Sampha, electronic acts like Nia Archives and alternative rockers such as Hak Baker and Bob Vylan. The awards will be hosted in Newcastle for the first time, at the Utilita Arena on the 18^th February, 2025.

To vote for your favourite nominees, click here.

Morrissey was due to play two shows on January 26th and 27th in California, both of which have been cancelled. As well as his North American gigs, Morrissey’s South American tour which would run from the 3rd to the 24th in February has also been cancelled. The tour was intended to span South America, stopping at Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. The singer is to remain in Switzerland under medical supervision until he recovers.

Californian post-punk band, She Wants Revenge, was booked to support Morrissey on the Californian leg of his American tour. The band has since expressed their sadness at Morrissey’s poor health and subsequent cancellation. Taking to Instagram, the band said: “like many of you, though we are frustrated and deeply disappointed, we are not terribly surprised… We all knew this was a possibility, we just hoped it would play out different this time”. 

Although these circumstances are outside of Morrissey’s control, the singer does have a history of last-minute cancellations. In July 2023, Morrissey cancelled the Nottingham leg of his UK and Ireland tour on the day of the performance. This tour was itself announced after he pulled out of a London show scheduled for the same day in July. Later in 2023, Morrissey was scheduled to play in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok as part of his 40 years of Morrissey tour. These events were also cancelled just days before they were supposed to go ahead. Morrissey’s 40 years of Morrissey tour has faced a slew of abrupt cancellations across the globe.

This latest wave of cancellations only continues Morrissey’s unreliable reputation, leaving the singer’s live career in stasis. In light of Morrissey’s claim that “cancel culture begins at home”, it seems appropriate that the singer has now cancelled himself abroad.

Doherty, the frontman of indie rock band The Libertines, had become notorious for his struggles with substances and his run-ins with the law during the late 2000s and 2010s. Now attempting sobriety, he has reflected on his chaotic past with Louis Theroux.

A real pleasure to catch up with @louistheroux

Catch up now on @BBCiPlayer #louistherouxinterviews pic.twitter.com/FmOnG2VdV6

— Peter Doherty (@petedoherty) November 16, 2023

When questioned on his health, Doherty shared, “You are looking at a very sick man. I’ve battered it, haven’t I, I’ve fucking caned it. [The] heroin and the crack… I surrendered to that, and then it was cocaine and the smoking and the alcohol, and now it’s cheese and the saucisson, and the sugar in the tea.”

He continued, “It’s all gotta go. They told me a little while ago if you don’t change your diet then you’re gonna have diabetes and cholesterol problems. Death’s lurking, you know what I mean? That’s why I carry that stick.”

Doherty also shared that he doesn’t believe he will be able to see his daughter, Billie-May (born in June of this year) grow up. When Theroux suggested living another 25 years to see his daughter start a family of her own, Doherty responded, “That’s a stretch though, isn’t it.”

Theroux also asked Doherty what advice he would give to someone interested in dabbling in drugs, to which Doherty replied, “My life in using was so chaotic and the consequences of [it]… You’ll be in prison and you’ll fuck your body up and you’ll be skint and you’ll lose your family and you’ll lose everything you love. Is it really that good? That’s beyond curiosity, that’s a right mess. I still get tingles thinking about it, but I’m able to talk to you rather than running off and scoring.”

Doherty also delves into other highly publicised aspects of his life throughout the interview, including his relationship with supermodel Kate Moss and his feud with former Libertines bandmate Carl Barat. Barat revealed that Doherty’s addictions caused a rift in the band, leading to The Libertines performing without Doherty.

Discussing Pete Doherty following the interview, Theroux shared, “I was surprised by how funny he was, I was surprised that (maybe I shouldn’t haven’t been) his recovery still seemed precarious, and I would say that maybe I was sort of surprised by his level of openness.”

Theroux continued, “I suppose everyone curates a persona that they present in public and I’m sure he does as well, but his curatorial choice seemed to be that he’ll speak about anything. Occasionally he deflects a bit, but I never felt that he was especially unwilling to talk about stuff, so it’s a very soul-bearing interview.”

Watch Louis Theroux Interviews: Pete Doherty here.

Ozzy has not performed a full concert since 2018, however his son Jack says he’s still keen to do one-off shows. Talking to The Messenger, Jack said, “I don’t think he’ll tour again. But he’s gunning to do one-off shows — like festivals, gigs, things like that. He’s not done yet.”

Speaking on his health himself, Ozzy shared, “Unfortunately, my body is telling me that I’m just not ready [to perform] yet and I am much too proud to have the first show that I do in nearly five years be half-assed.” He released this statement following the cancellation of his slot at Power Festival in California, where he was set to headline alongside Metallica, AC/DC and Guns N’ Roses.

Ozzy also revealed on SiriusXM’s Ozzy Speaks that he recently had a blood clot removed from an artery. He said, “When I had the blood clots in my legs, they put a filter in your artery to stop the blood clots going to your heart and your brain. It sounds worse than it is.”

He continued, “So, on Monday, I went to have it removed. The blood clots have jammed you all up. It’s just disappointment after disappointment. Just get this thing fucking done so I can go get on with my life.”

Despite his multiple health concerns, Ozzy is keen to keep performing despite retiring from touring. He said, “You can’t retire from this game. It’s not a job, it’s a fucking passion.”

Ozzy has also announced his plans to record an LP in 2024, sharing, “I’m just starting to work on it now, and we’ll be recording in the early part of next year. I want to take my time with this one!”

He also took to social media to share the 40th Anniversary vinyl reissue of his iconic album, Bark at the Moon. The album was released on 15th November 1983 after the release of the titular track earlier on, becoming triple platnum in the US.

Back on Vinyl! Out Now! https://t.co/jzs5bpvf6d pic.twitter.com/shqZCj6Tkx

— Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) November 17, 2023

November 12, 1983 “Bark at the Moon” single was released. Watch the original music video in HD on @YouTube at https://t.co/mrW4f3afnU pic.twitter.com/GfT72oVk4a — Ozzy Osbourne (@OzzyOsbourne) November 12, 2023