Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Rocker Eddie Van Halen’s cancer fight
Daniel on defying religious beliefs to marry divorced mum Majella
ROCKER Eddie Van Halen is suffering from throat cancer which he believes he may have contracted from sucking on a metal guitar pick.
The Van Halen guitarist, 64, was first diagnosed with cancer 20 years ago and had one-third of his tongue removed in 2000.
He was given an all-clear in 2002 but cancer cells have reportedly moved down to his throat which doctors have scraped out.
He told Billboard in 2015: “I used metal picks which I always held in my mouth, in the exact place where I got the cancer.
“I mean, I was smoking and doing a lot of drugs and it’s only my theory but doctors say it’s possible.”
Van Halen saw massive success in the 1980s with hits such as Jump. DANIEL O’donnell has admitted his faith initially prevented him from committing to a relationship with wife Majella – who was divorced.
The pair met on holiday in Tenerife before tying the knot in the singer’s hometown of Kincasslagh, Co Donegal, three years later in November 2002.
But Daniel, who is a devout Catholic, has revealed the first year of his relationship with the mother of two was anything but a fairytale romance, because of his religious views.
Majella had just ended her first marriage when she met the country singer in 1999.
Daniel broke off the relationship after just six months because of the Catholic Church’s traditional teaching that dating a divorced person was sinful.
However, he said he soon came to realise his personal happiness was more important than adhering to strict religious doctrine and describes his decision to throw himself back into the relationship with Majella as the best decision he ever made.
Recalling the inner turmoil he endured upon first falling for Majella, Daninel said: “There was a lot to be considered and I stepped away for a bit.
“It was a bit hard for me to come to terms with it because of my religious faith, but I got over that fairly quickly.
“I realised it was right for me to be happy.” The 57-year-old added his personal happiness increased even more following the birth of Majella’s two grandchildren Olivia, four, and 18-month-old Archie.
In an interview with My Weekly magazine, Daniel said: “The children [Majella’s kids] have been a joy to me. Their father is very much a part of their lives, but there was never any friction there.
“Now [Majella’s daughter] Siobhan has two children and I love to see them.” The crooner added
ON DATING MAJELLA
he’s looking forward to spending even more quality time with his family after deciding to dramatically cut back on touring.
Daniel explained: “I feel it’s time to get a different balance, so next year I’m taking a lot more time off.
“I just want to have time to enjoy the grandchildren and to be able to do things at the drop of the hat.
“I’d love to continue performing, and I don’t ever see myself saying, ‘I’m retired’, but maybe more free time is what I’m looking to now – to slow down.”
However, two aspects of his life he admits could be improved are his diet and fitness regime.
Daniel said: “I try to eat healthily, but I don’t always manage it. I’m not a big fan of vegetables.
“I keep saying I must go [to the gym], but here I am heading up to 60 and I’ve never really done it.”