This does not sound good

Anthony Wilson, the man behind some of Manchester's most well-known bands including Joy Division, New Order and the Happy Mondays, has been diagnosed with cancer and has undergone emergency surgery to remove a kidney, he revealed yesterday. The 56-year-old underwent emergency surgery last month and will begin chemotherapy treatment at the Christie hospital in Withington next week.

Mr Wilson is largely responsible for shaping Manchester's hugely popular music scene and was the founder of the Hacienda nightclub and Factory records. He was impersonated by Steve Coogan in the semi-fictional film 24 Hour Party People. The cancer was diagnosed during a routine visit to his family doctor after he had felt ill for some time.