Eighties rock star seriously ill in hospital as he quits band's tour
AN EIGHTIES rockstar has quit his band's tour after being left seriously unwell in hospital.
The keyboard player for an iconic Scottish pop-rock group has now pleaded with music fans to "share your love" during his time of need.
6
An Eighties rocker has been forced to pull out of his band's tour
Credit: Alamy
6
James Prime, second right, is 'serious ill' in hospital
Credit: Getty
6
News of the Dignity hitmaker's ill health came on the band's page on X
James Prime, 64, juggles his time in Chocolate Girl band
Yet now both of the Dignity hitmaker's careers are under threat due to an undisclosed illness.
The band posted an update on the Kilmarnock-born musician's "serious" condition on X.
A typed out message of black text onto a white background read: "Dear friends.
read more eighties rock
"We wanted to share some news with you about our brother Jim.
"Unfortunately he is seriously ill and undergoing care in hospital.
"We would like you to join us in wishing him well and to share your love with him."
It added: "We spoke to Jim yesterday about Deacon Blue's plans for the rest of the year, and he encouraged us to continue with love in our hearts and with his full blessing that the show's go ahead, even if it means replacing the irreplaceable James Miller Prime for the time being.
Most read in Music
"Together with Jim's family, we want to thank all the nurses, doctors and ICU staff for their ongoing care, professionalism and compassion.
"With love Ricky, Lorraine, Dougie, Gregor, Lewis and Tom."
Huge 90s band Deacon Blue look very different as they reunite for UK tour 29 years after they first split
The band will next take to the stage in Aberdeen.
They will then pick the tour back up in September, with shows in Liverpool, Brighton, Birmingham and Leeds to name a few.
The lengthy run of gigs wraps on October 11 in Glasgow.
Fans on social media were quick to react to the medical blow and one put: "Sending love and best wishes xxxx."
Deacon Blue - top hits
DEACON Blue have delighted fans with their hits since the Eighties - here we take a look at some of their success
Ricky Ross, James Prime, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Gregor Philp and Lewis Gordon currently make up the Deacon Blue roster.
Past members include Graeme Kelling, Ewen Vernal, Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, Taj Wyzgowski, Ged Grimes and Chris Henderson.
Their first album
Their back catalogue has included a whopping 16 top 40 hits including I'll Never Fall In Love Again and Real Gone Kid.
Other top tunes include Chocolate Girl and Dignity.
Despite going on hiatus in 1994, they reformed in 1999 and have been making music ever since.
A second put: "Thinking of you all, but especially Jim. Love and solidarity. xx" as a third wrote: "Gutted to hear this... praying Jim pulls through. One of my keys hero's and such a huge talent. Thoughts are with the band and Jim's family."
One then added: "Get well soon Jim. You'll be missed."
BAND COMEBACK
Recently, the band
Ricky Ross, James, Lorraine McIntosh, Dougie Vipond, Gregor Philp and Lewis Gordon currently make up the roster.
Past members include Graeme Kelling, Ewen Vernal, Mick Slaven, Scott Fraser, Taj Wyzgowski, Ged Grimes and Chris Henderson.
Their first album
But their second record, When The World Knows Your Name, shot straight to number one.
Its lead single Real Gone Kid was even nominated for a Brit Award in the British Single of the Year category.
But Deacon Blue were beaten by the soft rock band Fairground Attraction, with their track Perfect.
Despite going on hiatus in 1994, they reformed in 1999 and have kept making music ever since.
6
They are known for tracks including Perfect and Chocolate Girl
Credit: Getty
6
Fans were quick to send James their get-well wishes
Credit: Getty
6
The band released first album Raintown in 1987
Credit: Rex
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Molly Malone Day 2025: The story and legacy of an Irish folk hero
It's Molly Malone Day today, marking the history and cultural impact of one of Ireland's most familiar folk legends. The fishmonger's story is etched into the mind of every Dubliner, immortalised in song and with a statue on Suffolk Street, erected in 1988. The last couple of years have proved to be contentious for the character – her statue embroiled in controversy, with the city forced to implement stewards to stop tourists from groping the installation. Local Tilly Cripwell also launched the 'Leave Molly mAlone' campaign last year, hoping to draw attention to how the statue is mistreated. The campaign was roundly supported by many within the city's inner workings – who are well aware of the statue's significance, as well as the impact that the character has left in the greater Dublin – and Irish – consciousness. 'In Dublin's fair city, where the girls are so pretty, I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone' The opening lines of the titular song are familiar to anyone with even a passing interest in Irish culture – yet its roots are more recent than many might think. Many names for the tune have been listed, though 'Sweet Molly Malone,' 'In Dublin's Fair City' and 'Cockles and Mussels' seem to be the monikers most widely agreed on. Evidence of the song's existence was first recorded in 1876, in a book titled A complete Collection of the Songs of the American Colleges, with Selections from the Student Songs of the English and German Universitys. Though published in Boston, Massachusetts, the song is still heavily associated with Ireland. The song was republished in 1884, with London printing house Francis Brothers and Day – an esteemed publisher of music hall songs – releasing a version composed by Scotsman James Yorkston and scored by Edmund Forman. The Francis Brothers edition contains interesting context on the song's origin, stating its version was a reprint of an earlier, Scottish version of the song – however, no copies of the Scottish edition have ever been uncovered. The song itself is typical in structure and content to many music hall songs of the time. Its lyrics paint a picture of a typical Dublin street scene, with Malone depicted as a hardworking Dublin fishmonger, selling live cockles and mussels among the narrow streets, alleys and lanes of a 17th century Dublin city. The song's protagonist was struck by her presence, though Malone is later revealed to have died of a fever – however, her ghost is said to still wander the same 'broad and narrow' streets, plying her trade even after her death. Though many theories exist claiming Malone was a real person in 17th century Dublin, no such basis has ever been provided. Indeed, the character itself seems to be an amalgamation of typical Dublin folk of the time, such as the well-known 'Dicey Reilly' and 'Muirsheen Durkin' as seen in other classic Irish standards. Writer Siobhán Marie Kilfeather – famed for her book, Dublin: A Cultural History, questioned the song's origins, stating that while it could be based on an age-old folk song, its melody, lyrics and structure did not resemble those of typical Irish ballads of the time. She dismissed claims of a real Malone as 'nonsense'. Indeed, a 2011 TG4 documentary series titled Scealta Átha Cliath claimed that Molly Malone was a standard name for a typical Irish girl of the time, and no concrete basis for her existence had ever emerged. Some theorists went further – stating that the song itself was written not to celebrate, but instead ridicule the characters inhabiting Dublin city at the time. 'I believe it was a comic song,' said University College Dublin professor Daithi O hOgain, speaking to the Irish Independent in 2011. 'It was not a tragic story, which was the theme in many Irish ballads. 'In the concert halls during the Victorian era, various races were ridiculed to a certain extent. Molly Malone may have been composed in Scotland to mock Irish people and their songs.' Despite the ambiguity surrounding the character's origin, she was officially recognised in 1988 by the Dublin Millennium Commission – founded to celebrate 1,000 years since Dublin's inception. In making such a bold statement, the city pointed to claims that a Mary Malone existed in Dublin at the time, and died on 13 June 1699. This was enough for the city to proclaim the 13th of June as Molly Malone Day. Commissioned by the Jurys Hotel Group, Irish sculptor Jeanne Rynhart was tasked with bringing Malone's likeness to life in bronze. As the project was part of a wider effort to celebrate Dublin's millennium year, Malone's sculpture was to be accompanied by additional statues of Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats and other famous Irish figures – however, these plans failed to materialise. Originally located on Dublin's bustling Grafton Street, the statue was moved to its present location on Suffolk Street in 2014. Initially, the sculpture was derided by some upon its unveiling – with then-Arts Council director Adrian Munnelly writing to Bord Fáilte to express his disdain over the work, labelling it 'entirely deficient in artistic point and merit'. Dubliners seemingly didn't take the carving all that more seriously – dubbing it 'The Tart with the Cart'. That's not to say the work didn't have its defenders, though – most notably former Lord Mayor of Dublin Ben Briscoe, who claimed 'the statue was regarded with great warmth and affection by the city of Dublin'. Recent years have seen attempts to reverse certain behaviours around the statue – most prominently the notion that rubbing the breasts of Malone's likeness will bring good luck. In response to the 'Leave Molly mAlone' campaign, Dublin City Council has considered raising the statue onto a higher plinth, to deter passing tourists from getting too close. Indeed, the character of Molly Malone has taken on something of a complex legacy – although she continues to evoke the song and spirit of Dublin to millions around the world.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Jake Paul admits proposing to Jutta Leerdam was more nerve-wracking than any fight and he needed help of strong whiskey
JAKE PAUL revealed proposing to his partner Jutta Leerdam was more nerve-wracking than any fight - and he needed strong whiskey in his corner. The sports power couple went official in April 2024 and have Advertisement 8 Jake Paul says proposing to his partner Jutta Leerdam was more nerve-wracking than any fight Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul 8 He popped the question in St. Lucia Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul 8 The two have been dating since April 2024 Credit: Instagram / @jakepaul 8 He admits no fight was as daunting as popping the question Credit: Esther Lin And the YouTuber-turned-boxer - who has 11 wins in his 12 professional fights - admits no opponent has struck the same fear into him. After requiring some Dutch courage, he said: "By far I was way more nervous to propose than than for any fight. "So yeah, to all the men who are getting ready to propose, some whiskey before it's very helpful." Advertisement READ MORE IN BOXING Cruiserweight Paul began dating champion speedskater Jutta just months after his first and so far only loss - a split-decision defeat to Tommy Fury. And he revealed how the Dutch Winter Olympian The boxer became an uncle in September when brother Logan and Danish supermodel fiancee Nina Agdal Advertisement Most read in Boxing 8 CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The newly-engaged enjoy a long-distance relationship due to their training schedules - pitting them over 4,000 miles away from each other. Jutta, 26, is coached in her homeland of the Netherlands while Ohio-born Paul, 26, has relocated to Puerto Rico Advertisement Jake Paul leaks 's***-talking' private messages with Anthony Joshua goading him about being KO'd as trash talk ramps up He has his team out with him in the Caribbean island - Paul revealed: "His track workouts are absolutely brutal, long runs, sprinting. Not a lot of breaks. It's hot in Puerto Rico and muggy. "So you really find out who you are, like I said, in those moments and I just have that voice while I'm running that's wanting to quit but you just have to push through that. "And I think that's the art of fighting and in the ring you have those moments where your body is telling you to give up but you just have to push to the next round and keep going." Advertisement Paul returns on June 28 in California against And he will do so back at cruiserweight having gone to heavyweight in November for his controversial clash with Mike Tyson - who made a comeback aged 58. Paul had hoped to capitalise on the 100 MILLION viewers he had tune in on Netflix by holding shocks talks to fight either Canelo Alvarez, 34, or Gervonta Davis, 30. But when both collapsed, he turned to Chavez, the son of Mexican icon Julio Cesar Sr who was also beaten on points by Canelo in 2017. Advertisement Paul said: "I wanted the hardest and the biggest fights, which was first Canelo then Gervonta fell through. "And then at any given point in time we're negotiating or talking with five to six fighters to see who's down and ready to fight and making a date happen. "And after Canelo and Gervonta, we were talking to multiple people and Chavez was the one to step up, that made sense for me to stay active and get a fight in June. "So really it's just the long line and I just need more time but I'm gonna get to all of these names when the stars aligned." Advertisement 8 The couple enjoy a long-distance relationship Credit: Instagram / @juttaleerdam 8 Jake holds Logan's baby daughter Esme Credit: INSTAGRAM 8 Jake Paul returns against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr on June 28 Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
15 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
I love Bowie and Freddie Mercury and I always wanted to be a photo on someone's wall, says Yungblud ahead of new album
THE idea for Yungblud's new album Idols came after a chance encounter with a fan who claimed he'd saved her life. The Doncaster-born rocker — 6 The Doncaster-born rocker, real name Dominic Harrison, opens up about the inspiration behind his new album 'Idols' Credit: Tom Pallant 6 The singer's new project explores feelings of identity Credit: Tom Pallant 6 Harrison, says there are 'no gimmicks' with his new album Credit: Supplied "I said to her, 'Darling, I've never met you. You saved your own life. Maybe music was the soundtrack, but it was you who did it all'.' Speaking via video call, a svelte and healthy-looking Yungblud explains how the moment forced him to 'I called the album Idols because we all have these photographs on our walls — but why do we credit our emotional growth to people we've never even met, instead of to ourselves?' he says. 'I never met Bowie or READ MORE MUSIC NEWS Writing the album became a way to explore the feelings of influence and identity. Best work yet 'When you're in your formative years, you're inspired by everything — musicians, your mum, your dad, a sports star. You absorb it all, churn it up inside you, and spit it out as something new. "Something individual. That's what I wanted this album to be — a celebration of individuality.' It's a typically chaotic afternoon when I'm finally connected to Yungblud, who's grinning from the back seat of a cab. 'I'm on my way to Paris,' he says in his unmistakable Yorkshire drawl. Most read in Music 'The album's blown up in France, so I've got to go give the French a bit of love.' As we speak, he's weaving through queues at YUNGBLUD - teresa Idols is Yungblud's best work yet — the first half of a double concept album he started writing four years ago, just after Weird! topped the album charts. 'I was dissuaded from doing Idols after Weird! because Weird! was so commercially successful,' he says. 'I went and worked with a load of songwriters — and when you do that, you've got seven people a week telling you what Yungblud should do next . I had to figure that out for myself.' 'I didn't want to make vapid songs that sound great on the radio. Yeah, we've got a couple of f**king radio bangers on this record, but I wanted to make one album that's a through line — classic and timeless. "There's no gimmicks, man. None. This is me leaving everything on the table, showing the world what I can do. "That's why I orchestrated everything. I did everything I could to make it as deep and five-dimensional — lyrically and musically — as I possibly could.' I've had a strange relationship with the internet because the polarisation of people loving me so hard and hating me is not a stable ground to walk. You never know when you're about to step on a landmine. Yungblud has always been open about the critics who've tried to tear him down. 'When you're 19, from the north, full of spunk, writing songs about hating Brexit, and you get way bigger than you ever expected, the mainstream starts making you insecure about things you didn't even know about yourself,' he says. 'I've had a strange relationship with the internet because the polarisation of people loving me so hard and hating me is not a stable ground to walk. "You never know when you're about to step on a landmine. "People have questioned my authenticity and I'm not going to lie, it did get to me. It would be easier to just bullsh*t everyone.' That search for something real led him back home. Yungblud decamped to Leeds, just a few miles from where he grew up, to write and record Idols. 'I needed to go back north, to family,' he says. 'Because when you write a record with family, they don't give a f**k about hits, they don't give a fk about radio. "All I want is the truth out here. My mum will tell me when I've been a dick.' Epic rock opera On his journey of reclaiming his self-belief, Yungblud wrote Hello Heaven, Hello, a nine-minute 'It was the last song I wrote for the album,' he tells me. 'I needed this bridge between the past and now. "It starts shy and unsure like 'Do you love me or do you hate me?' and then takes you on this journey of self-reclamation. It wasn't meant to be nine minutes long.' Inspired by Britpop, Yungblud sees Idols as a celebration of British music. 'I've been all over the world and spent a lot of time in America, but for this album I needed to come home,' he says. 'I love British music, British art — and I'm so happy to be British. I don't think there's enough British music at the forefront of the British music industry right now, so I wanted to make a record that sounded unmistakably British.' I love Irish music too — poets and lyricists like Thin Lizzy, Bob Geldof and Shane MacGowan. He grew up on his dad's favourites — The Stone Roses, Cast, Oasis — while his grandad introduced him to 'I found The Verve myself,' he adds. 'And I really lean on people like Richard Ashcroft — as well as Bowie and Bono, even though he's Irish. It's music from this side of the world. "I love Irish music too — poets and lyricists like Thin Lizzy, The hauntingly poignant Zombie is central to Idols — a powerful ballad inspired by the death of Yungblud's beloved grandma after her battle with alcoholism. Its equally moving video stars Hollywood actress 'Zombie came out because of my grandma,' he says. 'She passed from alcohol addiction, and it was one of the hardest things to watch. "She was such a glamorous, beautiful woman who inspired me. Full of life. My grandma and grandad were the main characters in our family — and now they've both passed, Christmas ain't ever the same.' 'I wrote Zombie because watching someone you love silently suffer and deteriorate is devastating. The nurses who cared for her were amazing — a huge inspiration for the song.' Pugh plays a nurse in the emotional video. 'I sent her a DM and asked, and she was into it,' he grins. 'When you've got one of those blue ticks, it does a lot.' Night to remember 'I think the NHS is the single greatest asset we've got in this country , and I wanted to show that. It's a love letter to nurses and I needed a great British artist to tell the story with truth and authenticity. That was Florence.' They wrapped the shoot with a night out to remember. 'We celebrated by necking ten pints of Guinness each at an Irish pub — with a sausage roll and a bag of chips. We didn't go to some Mayfair bar.' Yungblud has openly discussed his struggles with anxiety and ADHD, and two years ago started boxing as a way to manage his mental health and body image issues. 'I needed to take control of my life as I had turned to alcohol and food — I was binging,' he reveals. 'I was doing anything to avoid having to face myself. "When you're in the public eye, you become insecure about things you don't know about because someone has said it. Is that what people think of me? 'So, I got sober for eight months and started boxing. I worked on my relationship with food. I managed to find a sense of self-love and I have really found my confidence. "It's so easy when you are a rockstar to be bored at 10 in the morning, so you crack open a beer. "Or when you're on tour and walk into a dressing room where there's a bottle of whisky, a bottle of champagne and three bottles of wine. "If you don't have anything to do, you open one and before you know it you've drunk half a bottle of whisky before you've gone on stage. It's a really easy thing to fall into. 'Now I can have a couple of pints on the weekend or with my Sunday dinner, but I can't go off the rails as I've got to get up in the morning for training. I'm in a period of my life where I'm really enjoying exploring my masculinity. I'm enjoying saying to the world that I'm a f**king man.' "I'll go out and get battered once a week, to blow off steam , but I can't do it more than that because of my boxing.' Reflecting on where he's at right now, Yungblud says: 'I'm in a period of my life where I'm really enjoying exploring my masculinity. I'm enjoying saying to the world that I'm a f**king man.' He adds: 'It's hard for young lads at the moment, especially with Andrew Tate's ideas floating about. "We've got to look after them — teach them there's a compassionate, caring, emotional side to masculinity. "If they fall through the cracks, it's going to be a dark generation.' Emotionally, Yungblud is still drawn to one person, American musician and actor Jesse Jo Stark, who Yungblud confesses is the 'love of my life' but had to pause their relationship because of his personal struggles. 'I needed to go away and work on myself as a man, as I've been doing this job since I was 18 and needed to grow. "We talk every Sunday. I really hope we can work it out as she's a queen, but we need to work on the foundations of the relationship before we jump back in. "It's really hard to navigate this life when there are 10 million people in a relationship of two.' I do things my way Next weekend, Yungblud's very own one-day music festival returns to Milton Keynes Bowl. Curated and headlined by the singer, Bludfest launched in 2024 as a protest against inflated ticket prices — he keeps tickets capped at £49.50 to stay affordable and inclusive. 'It's great because I get to do things my way,' he says. 'No one backed us at first. "We had to bow our heads and tip our caps to all the promoters who didn't think it was going to work. I had to compromise a lot — but we still got 30,000 people to Milton Keynes.' This year's show will feature a fresh setlist packed with new material. 6 Harrison performs at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2023 Credit: Getty Images - Getty 6 Next weekend, Yungblud's very own one-day music festival returns to Milton Keynes Bowl on June 21 Credit: Getty 'I'm going to play Hello, Lovesick Lullaby, Zombie and probably Ghosts and Monday Murder from "We're going to have fun with it. I'm bringing out some mates and we're going to celebrate. "I'm so proud of Lola Young and how far she's come — 'This year we've got Rachel Chinouriri playing, and I'm excited about her, too. There's so much music I love right now. " "They are really cool. And I'm a big fan of Amyl And The Sniffers. There's a new, exciting culture of rock music happening at the minute and I'm buzzing about it.' Idols is out on June 20 and Bludfest takes place on Saturday, June 21 at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes. 6 Yungblud's Idols is out on June 20 Credit: YUNGBLUD YUNGBLUD Idols ★★★★☆
