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Bill Wyman: Ex-Rolling Stones bassist diagnosed with prostate cancer

He is expected to make a full recovery

Tuesday 08 March 2016 11:18 GMT

Bill Wyman (Getty Images)

Bill Wyman, the former bassist with the Rolling Stones, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.

The 79-year-old is undergoing treatment. His spokesperson confirmed the diagnosis in a statement and said his cancer had been caught early. “Bill Wyman, former member of the Rolling Stones, has been diagnosed with prostate cancer,” it said.

“He is undergoing treatment and is expected to make a full recovery as it was caught in the early stages.”

Wyman was born in Lewisham, London and joined the Stones in 1962, when he was 25, remaining a member of the band until 1993. He became known as the sensible one for rejecting the drink and drugs loaded rock’n’roll lifestyle.

The Rolling Stones through the years

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The Rolling Stones pictured in Crossfire Hurricane

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The Rolling Stones in the early days

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The Rolling Stones in 1964

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The Rolling Stones performing in concert in 1964

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Guitarist Mick Taylor, 62, joined the Rolling Stones (second left) when he was 20

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The legendary 'glimmer twins' Keith and Mick in 1961.

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The Rolling Stones, Baker Street, London, 1963

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Charlie Watts of The Rolling Stones signing an autograph for a young fan, at Dublin Airport, during the band's second Irish tour of 1965.

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Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones exiting the airport bus at Dublin Airport before their concert at the Adelphi Theatre during the band's second Irish tour of 1965.

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The Rolling Stones receiving awards at the NME Poll Winners Concert at Wembley, London, in 1965.

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The Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger in 1967

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Rock of ages: The Rolling Stones in Hyde Park in 1969

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The Rolling Stones at the Roundhouse in London in 1971: from the left, Keys, Charlie Watts, Mick Taylor and Mick Jagger

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Jagger on stage with the Rolling Stones in 1978

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Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones sits in the stands of JFK Stadium in Philadelphia in afternoon on Wednesday, August 26, 1981, where he is scheduled to hold a concert on September 25 to kickoff his 1981 American tour.

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Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger performs in front of a crowd of 70,000 at Wembley Stadium in 1982

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Jagger performing on stage during the opening night of the bands new tour, 'Voodoo Lounge' in 1995

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The Rolling Stones perform on stage at Twickenham Stadium in 2006 in London

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Charlie Watts, Keith Richards and Mick Jagger of The Rolling Stones perform live at 02 Arena on in 2012

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The Rolling Stones performing at the O2 arena, at their 50-year anniversary show in 2012

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The Rolling Stones perform live on stage during day two of British Summer Time Hyde Park on July 6, 2013

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The Rolling Stones perform at Glastonbury in 2013

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The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury in 2013.

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'Rolling Stones 50 & Counting Tour' at The Honda Center on May 15, 2013 in Anaheim, California.

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The Rolling Stones performing in California in 2013.

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Keith Richards on stage in 2013.

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Suits you: Mick Jagger (far right) with his bandmates in 2014.

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The Rolling Stones at Glastonbury in 2014.

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The Rolling Stones on stage in 2014.

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The Rolling Stones at Glasotnbury in 2013.

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His most recent performance with the band was at the O2 arena in 2012.

Wyman announced his first solo album, Back to Basics, in April 2015. In an interview with The Times in June, he claimed the band never forgave him for leaving but insisted he had no regrets.

“The past 20 years have been the most prolific of my life,” he said. “I found two Roman sites they never knew existed. I’ve found Iron Age coins. I’ve opened events for the British Museum. I’ve opened the Castle Museum in Norwich, one in bloody Newcastle. Done photographic exhibitions around the world. Now it seems like this album might do quite well.”

He was last pictured at the wedding of Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall on Saturday.

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