After New Order drummer Stephen Morris recently revealed to Rolling Stone that he was in the throes of a “pretty serious” illness, the band have now offered a clarifying statement confirming that it’s keyboardist and Morris’ wife Gillian Gilbert who is currently battling cancer, not Morris.
The group provided an update via a post on their Facebook page titled “A MESSAGE FROM GILLIAN.” It reads: “Thank you everyone who has reached out following Stephen’s recent interview with Rolling Stone. We have both been incredibly touched by all the kind words and well wishes. I would like to gently clarify a misunderstanding from the interview, in the course of which comments were misinterpreted leading people to believe that Stephen is seriously ill. Thankfully, he is well. It is in fact me, who like many other people, is living with cancer.
We completely understand how the misunderstanding arose and simply wanted to ensure that the correct information was shared. We are enormously grateful for everyone’s kindness and support and would appreciate some privacy as I continue with my treatment. Gillian xx.” See their statement below.
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Back in June, Morris announced that he and Gilbert would step away from touring “for the foreseeable future” due to personal health reasons. When asked recently by Rolling Stone if he sees a future in rejoining the band, Morris replied, “I don’t know. I really don’t want to dwell on what this illness is, but it’s pretty serious. It’s not something that someone’s going to come up with a cure for.”
It remains unclear whether Morris will attend New Order and Joy Division’s upcoming induction to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in Los Angeles on November 14th, but he and Gilbert are confirmed to be absent from New Order’s South American tour later this year.