New Order’s Gillian Gilbert has revealed she’s living with cancer. The band’s longtime keyboardist shared a statement today with the intent to, in her words, “gently clarify a misunderstanding” resulting from a recent Rolling Stone interview with her bandmate and husband, Stephen Morris. Responding to a question about whether he would attend New Order’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in November, Morris said, “I’ve got a bit of a health problem at the minute, which precludes leaving the country for any length of time.”
“Thankfully [Stephen] is well,” Gilbert wrote. “It is in fact me, who like many other people, is living with cancer. We completely understand how the misunderstanding arose and simply wanted to ensure that the correct information was shared. We are enormously grateful for everyone’s kindness and support and would appreciate some privacy as I continue with my treatment.”
Earlier this year, New Order announced that Morris and Gilbert would not be joining the band on its imminent South American tour, which begins in São Paulo, Brazil, in late November. According to Rolling Stone, these will mark the band’s first shows ever without Morris. Joy Division and New Order are being jointly inducted into the Rock Hall after two prior nominations.
Gillian Gilbert:
Thank you everyone who has reached out following Stephen’s recent interview with Rolling Stone. We have both been incredibly touched by all the kind words and well wishes.
I would like to gently clarify a misunderstanding from the interview, in the course of which comments were misinterpreted leading people to believe that Stephen is seriously ill. Thankfully, he is well. It is in fact me, who like many other people, is living with cancer.
We completely understand how the misunderstanding arose and simply wanted to ensure that the correct information was shared.
We are enormously grateful for everyone’s kindness and support and would appreciate some privacy as I continue with my treatment.
Gillian xx
