Noughties dance star gives cancer update after being hospitalised with ‘30% chance of survival’

ShowbizCelebrity SUPERSTAR music producer James Ellis Ford has given a positive update on his acute myeloid leukaemia battle but cautiously says: “I’m not fully out of the woods.” The Simian Mobile Disco and Last Shadow Puppets member, 47, recorded a new album last year while receiving treatment for his condition at St Bart’s Hospital in London. James Ellis Ford is ‘feeling good’ after completing his cancer treatment Credit: instagram The music producer made a new album while in hospital Credit: instagram What’s more remarkable, he was reportedly given just a 30 percent chance of survival. Speaking to the New Cue newsletter, he said: “I’m at a higher chance now of relapsing so I’m being closely monitored. I don’t feel like I can fully relax as it were, I don’t get a mail saying it’s finished. But I’m feeling good, I’m working and I’m enjoying life.” Sign up for the Showbiz newsletter Thank you! Indeed, James classes being alive as one of his greatest achievements. He said: “It’s been a rough ride and it’s taken a lot of strength but in a weird way it feels good to have had to draw on some of that resilience that all humans have when they’re going through things. It actually connects you to being alive and what it means to be alive.” Songwriter James, who has produced records for a host of alternative greats from Arctic Monkeys and Blur to Pulp, Geese and Florence and the Machine, announced his surprise LP on Instagram. He recently shared a picture of the set up in his room complete with guitar, microphone, mixing desk and laptop. Lost in Another World will be released on August 14 and will be followed by gigs at Green Man Festival and London Old Horse Hospital. Reflecting on living with cancer, James recently told NME: “This whole past year has been some of the worst moments of my life, but also some moments of transcendental beauty and gratitude for the blessings I have in my life.” Most read in Showbiz When he first announced he had no more treatment scheduled he received a number of supportive messages from his famous friends. DJ Annie Mac, Desert Island Discs host Lauren Laverne, singer Jessie Ware, model Alexa Chung and Arctic Monkeys drummer Matt Helders all commented on the Instagram post. Comment now