21-07-2025
EXCLUSIVE Oasis megafan with stage 4 cancer who thought he had missed his chance to see the band perform is surprised by childhood friends with tickets
A man with stage four cancer was stunned after being surprised with Oasis tickets after he was too ill to secure them when they went on sale last year.
Lee Brown, 50, from Sheffield, was diagnosed in 2016 with gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST), a rare type of cancer that develops in the digestive system.
The Oasis megafan had a 26cm tumour growing in his stomach and has had three surgeries in the last nine years in an attempt to cure the disease.
However, three months ago, Lee and his family were told by medics that his treatment was no longer working. He is now regularly travelling between South Yorkshire and the Royal Marsden Hospital in London for a clinical trial in the hope it will help his cancer.
The mental health community team leader was disappointed last August when he was too ill to secure Oasis tickets for their comeback tour this year and thought he had missed his chance to see his favourite band perform once again.
That was until his best friends decided to surprise him with tickets to see Liam and Noel Gallagher perform at Heaton Park, Manchester - their home city - on Saturday, after raising money through a secret Just Giving page.
Lee told MailOnline: 'Oasis has been the soundtrack of our friendship and our lives. I last saw them in Chicago in 2001.
'I was pretty ill when the tickets went on sale and thought I had missed my chance. Jane did a secret Just Giving appeal for my ticket last week in social media without my knowledge and the £800 was raised in four hours from her making a post, apparently. I can't thank her and everyone who donated enough.'
The father-of-three added: 'The concert was everything I thought it would be and more! Words can't do it justice. Unreal!'
Lee posted a video on X showing his childhood friends David Wroe, Paul Deacon and Jane Wroe, pulling up to his house blasting Stand By Me clad in Oasis branded merchandise.
'Have you seen him? Have you really come to show off? You're kidding,' Lee said while playfully shaking his head.
They then got out of the car before handing him a letter, while saying: 'We've come to show off, we've not got you a ticket, don't be daft, they're like £4,000 each.'
He then read Jane's letter aloud and said: 'To my adopted brother Lee, Stop Crying Your Heart Out because you, me and David are off to Heaton Park to see Oasis. There's no-one we'd rather have next to us
'You're more than a brother, you're more than a mate, you're a hero and this is our way of saying thank you for being you. Take your bucket hat because your dream of Oasis is coming true.
'We're going to Rock 'N' Roll Stars. Yes, we'll be filming your reaction, no we won't be deleting the footage ever. There's another surprise at the back of the car.'
In the back of Jane and David's car was Lee's other childhood best friend, David, who got out and surprised him with a big, emotional hug.
WHAT IS GIST?
GIST stands for GastroIntestinal Stromal Tumour.
A GIST can occur when special cells within the wall of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract change so that they grow more than they should.
GISTS often have no symptoms but it can vary depending on size and location of the tumour.
Symptoms:
Fatigue (tiredness and a feeling of weakness)
Weight loss
Tummy (abdominal) discomfort or pain
A painless lump in the abdomen
Being sick (vomiting)
Blood in the stools (bowel motions) or vomit
Anaemia (low level of red blood cells)
Source: NHS
He said: 'David and Paul have been my best mates since eight years of age and Jane is David's sister, who I have known since she was born and see as my own little sister. I also have the best group of friends. It's a unique and strong bond we've all had throughout our lives.'
'My favourite part was my favourite song Live Forever, which is more and more poignant as time goes on. But it was all honestly immense, I sang every word. I hope [Noel and Liam] know how much this has meant to so many people.
'I think in such a tough time in the UK, the [Noel and Liam] need to realise the happiness and magic they have brought back into people's lives and my story is one of many that show that.'
Although he had the best time with his closest friends, Lee said that his 'only tinge of sadness' was that he couldn't go with his family, especially his 16-year-old son Freddie 'who shares my deep passion for everything Sheffield Wednesday and Oasis'.
He added: 'Hopefully I will still be around the next time they tour and we can share that moment together.'
Since being diagnosed with cancer, Lee has raised over £100,000 for different charities, including £20,000 for GIST Cancer UK to help work towards a cure.
'This has all been done with the help of my amazing friends and family,' he said, including his partner Lisa, 50, and his children Hanaa, 29, Lily, 17, Freddie, 16 and his granddaughter Piper, four, who he 'adores'.
Lee, his family and his friends are all hopeful that his clinical trial the Royal Marsden Hospital in London will help his cancer.
'It's an amazing hospital and exciting trial, so I remain positive,' he said.
