Morrissey on his cancelled tour: 'There are now no known ailments left for me to try'

The former Smiths star has had to cancel tour dates due to a bleeding ulcer

Singer Morrissey has revealed he has been treated for a condition which in rare cases can lead to cancer.

The former Smiths star had to cancel a series of shows on his US tour after being taken to hospital suffering from a bleeding ulcer.

In a message posted on fan sites, he said he was also treated for a condition called Barrett's oesophagus, which is often caused by acid reflux. It is associated with an increased risk of cancer of the oesophagus.

With typically dry humour, he said: "There are now no known ailments left for me to try."

Morrissey, 53, restated that he intends to return to the stage next week following his enforced absences.

He said: "The reports of my death have been greatly understated. Once admitted to the William Beaumont Hospital at Royal Oak in Michigan, I received treatment for concussion, a bleeding ulcer and Barrett's oesophagus.

"The positive from all of this is that there are now no known ailments left for me to try.

"I am fully determined to resume the tour on February 9 at the Chelsea Ballroom in Las Vegas. If there's an audience of any kind in attendance, I just might die with a smile on my face, after all. If I am not there, I shall probably never again be anywhere.

"Equally, I am determined to play Flint (Michigan) if it kills me (which, on the face of it, it almost has".

"Thank you to everyone present at both Brooklyn (New York) and Melbourne (Australia) during recent weeks for two of the best nights of what might charitably be termed my "career". My debt to you will outlive time itself."

He signed off by adding: "Pause at my headstone, Morrissey."

PA