Source : PERTHNOW NEWS
James Bourne has revealed his younger brother saved his life by donating a kidney after doctors warned the Busted singer he had only a few years left to live.
The 43-year-old musician, best known for hits including Year 3000, What I Go to School For and Crashed the Wedding, underwent a kidney transplant earlier this month after being forced to withdraw from Busted’s 35-date arena tour with McFly in autumn 2025.
His younger brother Chris Bourne, who stepped in to perform on the tour, was subsequently found to be a near-perfect donor match.
Both brothers are now recovering from surgery.
In an emotional social media announcement, James said: “Wow, what the hell happened? One minute you’re heading out on tour, the next thing you know you’re on the bench and out of the game.”
He continued: “My condition was serious and the doctors told me I had a few years left to live.
“I’m happy to share now that my youngest brother, Chris, who stepped in for me on tour last year, has saved my life yet again.
“This time quite literally by donating me one of his kidneys.”
The singer, who has not publicly disclosed the specific illness responsible for his deteriorating health, said he was already noticing a significant improvement following the operation.
James added: “I can’t believe how much better I’m starting to feel already.
“I’m still going to need some time, but I wanted you to know that we’re both recovering from surgery just fine. My brother is a hero.”
Chris, who is also a musician, explained he had volunteered to become a donor after learning how serious his brother’s condition had become.
Speaking from hospital following the transplant, Chris said: “James fell ill right before the tour started.
“After his diagnosis I volunteered to be a donor, in the middle of the tour, and after a bunch of tests, it was revealed that I was a near perfect match, so it was a no brainer for me.”
The brothers underwent surgery in early October and have been following a six-week recovery period.
Chris said: “I was told that the op was going to happen at some point this year, it was all dependent on James’s wellbeing. Suddenly, we were given a date for early October.”
James had been preparing to join his Busted bandmates Charlie Simpson, 41, and Matt Willis, 43, for their highly anticipated joint arena tour with McFly when his health problems forced him to pull out.
Chris stepped into his brother’s place at short notice, performing across the tour without having attended rehearsals.
The concerts brought together two of Britain’s most successful pop-rock groups of the 2000s, whose careers have remained closely connected through collaborations and shared members.
James first rose to prominence when Busted achieved chart success with their self-titled debut album in 2002, followed by A Present for Everyone in 2003.
He later formed the band Son of Dork, while continuing to write songs for other performers, including McFly.
During the uncertainty surrounding his brother’s condition, Chris turned to songwriting as a way of processing the family’s experience.
Working with his bandmates in Call Your Friends, he developed a track titled Selfless, which began as a poem written during some of the most difficult moments of James’ illness.
The song has since been released as a fundraising single in support of mental health charity Mind.
