Tony Wilson, the man who stage-managed the rise of the Madchester movement, has revealed he is battling kidney cancer.
Wilson was the head of Factory Records, the label behind the success of Manchester icons Joy Division, New Order and Happy Mondays. In an article published in the 'Manchester Evening News' newspaper, Wilson revealed that doctors told him his right kidney was "completely consumed" with cancer.He had been suffering flu-like symptoms toward the end of last year, and only sought medical advice at the insistence of his partner, Yvette Livesey. The kidney was removed in an emergency procedure several weeks ago, and he is currently undergoing chemotherapy treatment at Manchester's Christie Hospital.
Now a successful radio DJ in the UK, Wilson also co-founded the seminal Hacienda nightclub in Manchester. A semi-fictionalised account of his life story was brought to the big screen in the Steve Coogan vehicle '24 Hour Party People'.
