Cliff Notes
- Mike Peters, frontman of Welsh band The Alarm, passed away at 66 following a battle with blood cancer and lymphoma diagnosis last year.
- Peters, first diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia over 30 years ago, had recently faced a more aggressive form of the disease known as Richter’s syndrome.
- Celebrated for his musical contributions, Peters received an MBE in 2019 for his efforts in cancer care and was known for his work in supporting Welsh football culture.
Mike Peters: The Alarm frontman dies aged 66 after blood cancer diagnosis | UK News
The frontman of Welsh band The Alarm, Mike Peters, has died aged 66.
The rock star had been diagnosed with blood cancer and was forced to cancel a US tour last year.
He had been undergoing treatment for fast-growing lymphoma at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust in Manchester.
A spokesperson for Love Hope Strength, the cancer charity he set up with his wife, announced his death on Tuesday.
Peters was first diagnosed with the blood cancer chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) more than 30 years ago, when he was 36 years old.
Last year, he discovered a large swollen gland on his neck five days before he was due to fly to Chicago for a tour, news he described as having come as “a bolt out of the blue”.
Doctors diagnosed him with Richter’s syndrome, where CLL transforms into a more aggressive high grade lymphoma.
“I am still reeling from the consequences of this new and completely unforeseen diagnosis and doing my best to process what is happening,” he said in a statement at the time.
The Prestatyn-born singer leaves behind his wife, Jules, 58, and two sons, Dylan, 20, and Evan, 18.
During his career, Peters supported U2 and Status Quo on tour and played with Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.
He first rose to fame in the early 1980s with The Alarm, which had hits including 68 Guns and Strength.
In 2019, he was awarded an MBE for services to cancer care.
Peters composed and sang the EURO 2020 Wales song, The Red Wall Of Cymru.
Ian Gwyn Hughes, from the Football of Association of Wales (FAW), said Peters was “a natural choice”.
“He will not only be remembered for his music but also as just a proper, genuine football fan who made a huge contribution to the culture of The Red Wall,” he added.