Viv Campbell's 'tumours at bay'

Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell’s pioneering cancer treatment is working, his doctors have told him.

He was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2013 then wrongly given the all-clear in 2014. Later that year he began an experimental programme of medical attention based around the drug Pembrolizumab.

Campbell reports: “I had great news this morning – the mighty Pembrolizumab appears to be holding the tumours at bay. Doc said they might even be slightly smaller than they were at the last scans.

“Needless to say I’m most chuffed at this result!”

He’s currently gearing up to tour the UK with Def Leppard in support of their self-titled 11th album, launched in October as a Classic Rock fanpack. He’s also working with Last In Line, formed out of the original Dio lineup.

Earlier this week Campbell expressed his gratitude to his cancer carers, saying: “These people are the proper rock stars. Me? I’m just a guitar-owner.”

Not only is one-time online news editor Martin an established rock journalist and drummer, but he’s also penned several books on music history, including SAHB Story: The Tale of the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, a band he once managed, and the best-selling Apollo Memories about the history of the legendary and infamous Glasgow Apollo. Martin has written for Classic Rock and Prog and at one time had written more articles for Louder than anyone else (we think he's second now). He’s appeared on TV and when not delving intro all things music, can be found travelling along the UK’s vast canal network.