STEVIE'S SECRET BATTLE
Stevie Wonder reveals he’s taking a break from music to have a kidney transplant – and has a donor lined up
LEGENDARY singer Stevie Wonder has shocked fans by revealing he’s taking a break from music - to have a kidney transplant.
The veteran star, 69, will have surgery in September after the completion of his next three shows and told his audience at British Summer Time in London’s Hyde Park tonight he has a donor lined up.
3
He said: “I wanted to you to hear this from me rather than somebody else.
“I’m taking a break and I’m having kidney transplant.”
Stevie’s admission comes after speculation in the US than he was suffering from ill health, rumoured to be kidney failure.
His musician friend Joan Belgrave told : “He’s got some health challenges, but he doesn’t want a big PR thing out of this.
“He’s in great spirits. You would never know anything is going on. That’s how he wants it, and that’s how he wants to keep it.”
3
Tonight he performed in front of thousands at Hyde Park, welcoming special guest Lionel Richie.
Despite announcing his health issues to fans, Stevie still has three more shows before the operation.
The singer is playing at Dublin’s 3Arena next Tuesday before returning to the US.
Stevie has been accompanied to recent concerts by his own medical team.
One fan said: "F***. #StevieWonder @StevieWonder just told us on stage at @BSTHydePark he will do three more shows then take a break after having a kidney transplant in September. I #Love you Stevie and I #Pray for you."
3
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
Another added: "Stevie Wonder just announced to the crowd that he needs a kidney transplant - he can have one of mine if he needs it!!! #myhero #greatestofalltime."
Throughout his 56-year career, Stevie has won 25 Grammy Awards, the prestigious Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, a Golden Globe and an Academy Award.
At the age of 12, he was the youngest recording artist to have achieved a #1 single with Fingertips, Part 2.
He ended his epic show tonight by singing Superstitious.