Bucks Fizz singer Jay Aston has shared some personal news with fans, revealing she has been diagnosed with mouth cancer.
The 57-year-old has told of how she was diagnosed just two weeks ago after having a biopsy on her tongue.
The procedure left her unable to speak clearly for months, reports the Mirror, and following the results, Jay now faces having a section of her tongue removed.
Skin from her thigh will be used to reconstruct her tongue and it could take a year for her voice to recover - meaning she may no longer be able to perform.
“I think if they take more of my tongue away the chances of me singing, even talking, will be very slim,” she told the paper.
Jay said she “got on the train and bawled my eyes out” after being told the diagnosis and added that the “thought of rejoining the band is now keeping me going”.
“Being on stage with them is my happy place,” she said. “Whatever you go through, it doesn’t matter when you are on stage.”
Jay still performs with Bucks Fizz members Cheryl Baker and Mike Nolan, under the band name The Fizz.
Cheryl tweeted a heartfelt message for Jay in the wake of her health news, writing: “Please join me and @mikenolanfizz in wishing @JayAstonC a speedy recovery from mouth cancer.
“Jay has reacted to this devastating news so positively and we are incredibly proud of her. It’s early days but I’m sure she will be back on stage asap. hugs and get-well vibes, Jay.”
The trio have lots of live dates coming up and are set to perform at numerous festivals and events this summer.
Addressing the possibility of not being able to take to the stage anymore, Jay added: “Cheryl and Mike aren’t getting a replacement, they say they will carry on as two. I would want them to carry on without me.”
Buck’s Fizz found fame after winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 1981 and went on to become of the UK’s most-loved pop groups.
Following their split, former member Bobby G trademarked the band’s name and he still performs with it.