80s rock star in ‘last chance saloon’ with treatment for aggressive cancer-Brooke Ivey Johnson-Entertainment – Metro

Mike Peters of The Alarm has revealed his blood cancer has returned (Picture: Graham Harries/REX/Shutterstock)

The frontman of Welsh rock band The Alarm is facing an uncertain future after his rare aggressive cancer returned.

Mike Peters cancelled a US tour earlier this year due to his fast-growing lymphoma but underwent experimental therapy, eventually being told he was in remission. 

Now, the 65-year-old musician, who has supported U2, Status Quo, and Bob Dylan on tour, has shared that his cancer has returned, with doctors once again detecting it last month. 

The iconic front man posted a statement about his treatment to his website today, writing in part: ‘Despite the best efforts of all concerned, and having had to endure two different regimens of Chemotherapy, the aggressive and fast moving nature of the Richter’s disease has meant that the clinical team at The Christie have had to take the decision to pursue a new way forward to try to eradicate my cancer.

‘My next step now, is to have a revolutionary advanced therapy called CAR-T in the New Year.’

He was first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) when he was just 36 years old, nearly 37 years ago. He was diagnosed with Richter’s syndrome, where CLL changes into a much more aggressive lymphoma, last month. 

Peters founded the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife Jules after his initial diagnosis (Picture: Jules Peters/PA Wire)

In 2006, Peters established the Love Hope Strength Foundation with his wife Jules, 57. The pair share two sons, aged 17 and 20.

In the wake of the news, he is now calling on people to become potential stem cell donors, with the foundation launching a new campaign One in a Million, to encourage people to become donors.

250,000 people have already registered as a result of the initiative. 

Peters is currently on a chemotherapy regime and is going to start CAR-T therapy – a specialist type of immunotherapy.

‘I was supposed to be preparing for a stem cell transplant now, exactly 29 years since I was first told I had the disease,’ said Peters to the BBC. 

‘Unfortunately, Richter’s syndrome has aggressively broken down my hard-earned remission and denied me the opportunity to have this potentially life-saving procedure.’

The Alarm is known for incorporating Welsh language into their songs (Picture: Jules Peters/PA Wire)

The Alarm have opened for Bob Dylan and U2, among others (Picture: Jules Peters/PA Wire)

He continued: ‘The future is uncertain, but I still have many options and as I navigate those, I want to make sure I help other blood cancer sufferers like me.’

His partner Jules added: ‘Although this latest set-back has been a devastating blow for our family, it affords us more time to find the best life-saving match for Mike.’

Michael Gallagher, from the blood cancer charity DKMS which works in partnership with the foundation, also chimed in with a comment: ‘Currently, only 60% of patients will find a matching stem cell donor, making the need for new donors critical.

Peters says his future is now uncertain (Picture: Jules Peters/PA Wire)

‘We want to help people with blood cancer receive a stem cell transplant and have the best possible chance for a healthier future.’

Peters founded his group The Alarm in 1981 in Rhyl, Wales and went on to become a popular 80s new wave group. They’re known for incorporating Welsh culture and language into their music.

Peters is also publishing an autobiography, out in December, called Love 1959-1991.

A version of this article was first published November 12, 2024.

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