Feargal Sharkey, frontman of punk legends The Undertones, has revealed he was diagnosed with prostate cancer after what began as a routine visit to his GP for a sore throat.
The 66-year-old singer and environmental campaigner shared his story in the hope of encouraging other men over 45 to get tested. What started as a throat check-up quickly turned into a life-changing discovery.
“My GP, who knows me well, said: ‘You’re 65 now, let’s run the full set of tests.’ Just two days later, I was beginning a journey that led to a diagnosis of prostate cancer,” Sharkey recalled.
Fortunately, the cancer was caught early and resolved in 2024. Feargal says he’s now doing “very well” and continues his passionate advocacy for clean waterways and men’s health.
He explained that without that random doctor’s visit, things could have turned out very differently. “It could have been a completely different ending to my life,” he said.
Speaking candidly to raise awareness, Sharkey emphasized that one in eight men will face the same diagnosis and that early detection is crucial. “Go and get the blood test. If you’re lucky, like me, you’ll catch it early and can deal with it.”
He also paid tribute to Olympic cyclist Sir Chris Hoy, who is currently undergoing treatment for terminal prostate cancer. “If you wait too long, you may face a different outcome entirely,” Sharkey warned.
Now using his platform for more than just music, the punk icon’s voice carries a new kind of urgency – one that could save lives.
