Illness forces frontman Presley to retire from Troggs

Troggs frontman Reg Presley has told fans he has lung cancer and has decided to "call time" on the band.

The 70-year-old singer was taken ill during a gig in Germany in December.

Writing on his website, Presley said: "During my stay in hospital, tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer. I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad.

"However I've had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years."

The garage rockers, who got together in Andover, Hampshire, had a string of hits in the 1960s including the much-covered Wild Thing and With A Girl Like You.

Their number 5 hit from 1967, Love Is All Around, became a massive hit when it was covered by Wet Wet Wet.

The song, which featured on the soundtrack of Four Weddings And A Funeral, spent 15 weeks at number one.

PA