The Jethro Tull musician assures his loyal fans that he's not close to death after saying his days are numbered amid his battle with an incurable lung disease.
- May 15, 2020
AceShowbiz - Jethro Tull frontman IAN ANDERSON has reassured fans he isn't close to death after he was diagnosed with an incurable lung disease.
The prog rock legend told U.S. newsman Dan Rather his "days are numbered" in a recent interview, revealing he had been diagnosed with the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
His comments concerned fans, who feared the "Living in the Past" singer was terminally ill, but in a statement received by WENN, the 72 year old has assured devotees he's not dying.
"Thanks for your concern but no worries about my diagnosed COPD and asthma," he writes. "I have had 14 months with no infections and no bronchitis so last year was the first since my twenties when I didn't get sick at all. The conditions I have are early-stage and I plan to keep them that way."
He went on to clarify that his remarks that his "days are numbered" referred to his singing career, adding, "After all, I am 73 years old this August! But I should be OK for a few more years if COVID doesn't get me first."
Anderson went on to explain that he feels he is no more at risk than others from the coronavirus, claiming, "If anything, I am less likely to catch it than many people as I have been practising very safe hygiene for years and social distancing is a way of life for me!"
Playing down his illness, he continues, "A mild COPD or asthma are just things to live with for the millions around the world who suffer. But no impact at all on my daily life as long as I don't catch a cold or flu virus and suffer the subsequent heavy bronchitis which, for me, historically follows since I was a young man."
The rocker has blamed his COPD diagnosis on the smoke machines that he has used onstage throughout his 50-plus year career.
