“While it’s very clear in my mind how serious this is, it is curable,” said James Ellis Ford, one half of the electronic music duo Simian Mobile Disco.
During the winter months, it’s common to feel fatigued, but James Ellis Ford, co-founder of Simian Mobile Disco, has revealed he is facing a significant health challenge: acute leukemia.
“I was feeling pretty rough in the run-up to Christmas, suspecting burnout, but on Christmas Eve, things took a turn for the worse,” Ford shared in an Instagram post. “I had a scary few weeks where I was very ill and they didn’t know what was wrong with me, but finally I got a diagnosis.”
“I have AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia),” Ford continued. “It’s a huge shock, and while I understand how serious this is, it is curable. As of today, I’m starting pretty aggressive chemotherapy to treat it.”
Ford mentioned he was initially treated at Canterbury Hospital before being transferred to Bart’s Hospital in London, where he made his announcement. He highlighted that Bart’s is “world leaders in leukemia treatments,” and he hopes to complete the first round of treatment, which involves “pretty aggressive chemo,” within six to eight months.
As anticipated, Ford will need to step back from his music career. “While this is a massive shame, I know they will continue to produce great records with whoever takes the reins, and I wish them all the best,” he stated.
Acute leukemia is a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow, particularly impacting white blood cells. According to the National Cancer Institute, 60-70% of adults who receive treatment for this condition achieve complete remission.
Originally from Staffordshire, James Ellis Ford was a founding member of Simian, a four-piece electronic rock band. In 2023, he and James Anthony Shaw launched a spinoff project known as Simian Mobile Disco. Ford has also contributed as a producer for high-profile artists, including Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys, and Pet Shop Boys.
Ford concluded his message on a note of gratitude, stating, “I want to express the deepest possible gratitude to my family, friends, and colleagues who have been so supportive during this difficult time, particularly my wife Sereen and all the NHS staff who’ve looked after me so brilliantly.”
