Shaun Ryder, the legendary frontman of Happy Mondays and beloved Celebrity Gogglebox star, has revealed the truth behind his recent health scare following a frightening collapse. The 61-year-old appeared on BBC Breakfast alongside bandmate Bez on Tuesday to mark 35 years since their iconic album Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches, ahead of the band’s eagerly awaited tour next March.

During the interview with hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell, Ryder opened up about suffering from pneumonia while on tour. “I got pneumonia. I had to take every painkiller and medication I could just to get through it,” he admitted. Tragically, he was too unwell to attend the funeral of his late bandmate Mani, collapsing the day before the ceremony.

Bez added, “I told him he had to get better, but it took about six weeks before he listened.” Ryder revealed that antibiotics finally helped him recover. “I’ve only been out of bed about four days,” he joked, maintaining his signature humor even amid the ordeal — including a quip about spending Christmas bedridden and alone.

Reflecting on the fragility of life, Ryder confessed, “I’ve got 10 years left, maybe 15. My dad was dead by 74 and our kid is already gone. I’ve been to a few funerals lately.”

Fans can now look forward to Happy Mondays’ 22-date tour across March and April, with stops in London, Nottingham, Cardiff, Newcastle, and their hometown Manchester. Ryder and Bez will reunite with Mark Day, Gary Whelan, and Dan Broad to perform classics like Step On, Kinky Afro, Loose Fit, and fan favorites including 24 Hour Party People, Hallelujah, Judge Fudge, and W.F.L.

Since joining Celebrity Gogglebox in 2019, Ryder and Bez have continued to charm viewers with their outspoken and hilarious commentary — on-screen and off.