New Order Star Gillian Gilbert Battles Cancer: Fans Rally Support

Just two months before New Order's highly anticipated induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame, Gillian Gilbert, the British post-punk act's original keyboardist and guitarist, has courageously revealed she is "living with cancer." This personal disclosure came via a social post shared on New Order’s official accounts, addressing recent speculation regarding the health of her partner in life and band, Stephen Morris.

The announcement serves to clarify a misunderstanding that arose from a recent Rolling Stone interview with Stephen Morris. In the interview, Morris had mentioned, "I’ve got a bit of a health problem at the minute, which precludes leaving the country for any length of time. I really don’t want to dwell on what this illness is, but it’s pretty serious. It’s not something that someone’s going to come up with a cure for." These comments were misinterpreted by some, leading to the belief that Morris was seriously ill.

Gillian Gilbert took to Instagram Stories to set the record straight: "We have both been incredibly touched by all the kind words and well wishes. I would like to gently clarify a misunderstanding from the interview, in the course of which comments were misinterpreted leading people to believe that Stephen is seriously ill. Thankfully, he is well. It is in fact me, who like many other people, is living with cancer." She expressed gratitude for the support and requested privacy as she continues her treatment, though she did not disclose the nature or progression of her illness.

The full statement from Gillian Gilbert read: "Thank you everyone who has reached out following Stephen’s recent interview with Rolling Stone. We have both been incredibly touched by all the kind words and well wishes. I would like to gently clarify a misunderstanding from the interview, in the course of which comments were misinterpreted leading people to believe that Stephen is seriously ill. Thankfully, he is well. It is in fact me, who like many other people, is living with cancer. We completely understand how the misunderstanding arose and simply wanted to ensure that the correct information was shared. We are enormously grateful for everyone’s kindness and support and would appreciate some privacy as I continue with my treatment."

This revelation also explains the "personal health reasons" cited by Morris and Gilbert in June of this year for their inability to join New Order's show at Primavera in Chile in late November, a circumstance previously described as "impossible."

New Order, along with Joy Division from which it emerged, is slated for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame this November 14 in Los Angeles. They are part of a distinguished class that includes music legends such as Phil Collins, Billy Idol, Iron Maiden, Oasis, Sade, Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan. The induction ceremony will be aired on ABC and Disney+ in December.

The band's genesis followed the tragic death of Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis in May 1980. The surviving members—Bernard Sumner, Stephen Morris, and Peter Hook—reformed as New Order in Manchester the same year, with Gillian Gilbert joining in October 1980. While Joy Division maintained a cult following, New Order achieved widespread international mainstream success. Their impressive career includes 11 top 10 albums in the United Kingdom, with "Technique" (1989) and "Republic" (1993) both reaching No. 1. In the United States, New Order has seen six entries on the Billboard Hot 100 and nine appearances on the Billboard 200 chart.

Gillian Gilbert stepped away from touring with New Order in 2001 but rejoined the band's new lineup in 2011, following Peter Hook's departure. Ahead of the Rock Hall induction and the upcoming ceremony, Warner Music is set to release "Eternal: Live" next Friday, Sept. 25, a comprehensive 14xCD and 2xDVD box set chronicling the band's career.