Former Factory boss fights cancer

Anthony Wilson was an influential figure in the "Madchester" scene

Anthony Wilson, the music mogul behind some of Manchester's most successful bands, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The Salford-born entrepreneur, who managed New Order, Joy Division and the Happy Mondays, underwent emergency surgery last month to remove a kidney.

The 56-year-old, who launched Factory records and the Hacienda nightclub, is due to start a chemotherapy course at Manchester's Christie Hospital.

The disease was found during a routine visit to the doctor.

Two minutes into his check-up the doctor identified that something was "seriously wrong" with his right lung.

The sheer quality of the care provided to me by the nursing staff and doctors has been fantastic Anthony Wilson

After having the lung drained a scan revealed that his right kidney was "completely consumed" by cancer.

It was then removed at the Manchester Royal Infirmary and he is now set for two five-day treatments at the Christie.

Mr Wilson said: "It was a bit of a surprise to find out I had cancer because there is no family history.

"All my family tend to have heart attacks in the middle of the night aged in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

"I wasn't too upset when I was told the news. I just think you have to go with it and I see it as another step in life's adventure."

'Madchester' founder

Mr Wilson reserved particular praise for the staff who treated him after his diagnosis.

"The sheer quality of the care provided to me by the nursing staff and doctors has been fantastic," he said.

"It's funny that everyone has a moan about the NHS except for people who actually use it."

Mr Wilson, who is a presenter on BBC Radio Manchester, rose to fame after he co-founded Factory Records and the Hacienda nightclub which was famously known as the birthplace of the "Madchester" music phenomenon.

The semi-fictional story of both the music label and the historic club was told in the 2002 film, 24 Hour Party People.