The Tragically Hip singer Gord Downie diagnosed with terminal cancer

The Canadian band have announced another tour to honour Downie and their fans

Gord Downie has been diagnosed with brain cancer (Getty Images)

Gordon Downie, the lead singer of Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip, has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.

In news that has devastated fans, The Hip confirmed Downie, 52, was diagnosed with cancer in December. A founding member, Downie has performed with The Hip for over three decades and released three solo albums.

The band told their fans in a Facebook post this afternoon, in which they also announced plans to tour again in his honour.

“Hello friends. We have some very tough news to share with you today, and we wish it wasn’t so,” they wrote.

“A few months ago, in December, Gord Downie was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Since then, obviously, he’s endured a lot of difficult times, and he has been fighting hard. In privacy along with his family, and through all of this, we've been standing by him.

“So after 30-some years together as The Tragically Hip, thousands of shows, and hundreds of tours… We’ve decided to do another one. This feels like the right thing to do now, for Gord, and for all of us.

“What we in The Hip receive each time we play together is a connection; with each other; with music and it’s magic; and during the shows, a special connection with all of you, our incredible fans.

“So, we’re going to dig deep and try to make this our best tour yet.”

The message was signed off by Downie and his fellow members Rob Baker, Johnny Fay, Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair.

The Hip launched in Kingston, Ontario in 1984 and went on to release 12 studio album and two live albums, nine of which topped Canadian music charts. They won a number of awards and accolades and were inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame in 2002. Many of their fans grew up on their music, a sentiment reflected in devastated comments underneath the post.

“This one hurts,” wrote Amber Lachambre. “He’s not the voice of a band, he's the voice of our country. Your songs punctuate my youth, and I will be at one, if not more, of the shows this summer. Prayers for Gord and his family, both blood and band.”

“This is so sad," said Sarah Theresa. “The Hip alone has gotten me through some of the best and worst times of my life.”