Def Leppard lose Viv Campbell as cancer returns

Def Leppard will need to scramble to find a new guitarist for their upcoming tour.

Viv Campbell, who has been the guitarist for the group since 1992, has announced that his cancer has returned and he will have to take time off for treatment.

Campbell was first diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma in mid-2013 and underwent a six month course of chemotherapy. In November of that year, he announced the disease was in remission but, in May 2014, it had returned. Another announcement of remission was made in August but, by late in the year, he was undergoing a radical stem cell transplant.

Early Saturday, Viv went on his Facebook account to announce that the disease had, once again, returned:

I'm saddened by the fact that my cancer has returned. However, I'm beyond consolation that it's return will prevent me from being able to do my job for a while.

I’m still working on a schedule of treatment with my doctors, but I will see you all very soon.

My apologies.