Duran Duran's Andy Taylor had end-of-life care in devastating cancer diagnosis

25 August 2023 , 09:32

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Andy Taylor is no longer receiving end of life care after receiving a stage four prostate cancer diagnosis (Image: andytaylorofficial/Instagram)

Duran Duran's Andy Taylor has shared that his prostate cancer is now "asymptomatic", a significant improvement from his previous classification as requiring "palliative, end-of-life care".

The 62 year old guitarist, who was diagnosed with stage-four prostate cancer in 2018, is gearing up to release his first solo album in decades next month, titled Man's A Wolf To Man. This follows his earlier records Dangerous in 1990 and Thunder in 1987. Andy's health condition had previously prevented him from joining his bandmates when Duran Duran was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year. However, a conversation with a doctor revealed a treatment option that specifically targets cancer cells.

Sharing his experience with The Times, Taylor revealed he underwent a round of this medical intervention, which involves the intravenous administration of radioactive chemicals. The treatment was recommended by scientist Christopher Evans, whom Taylor fondly referred to as the "Elon Musk of cancer".

According to the paper, Andy remains "radioactive for several days" and is unable to sleep in the same room as someone else after the treatment. In a positive update following the treatment, the guitarist has now revealed: "I was classified as palliative, end-of-life care ... and now I'm not; I'm asymptomatic."

Andy rose to fame as part of Duran Duran (Getty Images)

His bandmates singer Simon Le Bon, keyboardist Nick Rhodes, bassist John Taylor, and drummer Roger Taylor were informed about his diagnosis through a letter, which they read aloud to the audience at the Hall of Fame ceremony held at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles – formerly known as the Microsoft Theatre.

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Praising his bandmates, he said: "It takes someone with a very special quality from their heart to do that and not drop a word." Addressing the swirling rumours about his potential return to Duran Duran, he clarified: "No, I'm not going to rejoin the band ... I would not say no to (part time for) the opportunity, particularly for the fans, but as I keep reminding people, you have to be asked."

Formed in Birmingham in 1978, Duran Duran skyrocketed to fame in the 1980s, delivering chart-topping hits like Rio, The Wild Boys, and the Bond theme A View To A Kill. Fast forward to 2021, the group released their 15th studio album, Future Past, and are currently setting stages ablaze across North America, accompanied by special guests Nile Rodgers and Chic, and Bastille.

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Amy Denman