Liverpool and England icon John Barnes is the latest legend from the world of football to speak out about their battle with cancer following Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan
17:48, 02 Jun 2026Updated 18:13, 02 Jun 2026
Former Liverpool player John Barnes has shared details of his battle with cancer(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Liverpool and England legend John Barnes has revealed he has been secretly battled with prostate cancer.
Barnes, who had his prostate removed, said he was diagnosed after his kids pushed him to get checked and and “not many people know”.
The Liverpool icon, who says he is now “fine”, is now urging men to “bite the bullet” and speak out if they are having problems.
Speaking to Times Radio, Barnes said “Men have to then bite the bullet and swallow their pride and admit if they have problems and say it. So it’s a good thing that that has come out.
“I’m fine. I have my PSA and everything is okay. The thing about it is that a lot of men don’t want to admit it or want to have it done because it makes them feel less than a man.
John Barnes said that men need to ‘bite the bullet’ and say if they have problems (Image: Shaun Botterill/Allsport/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
“But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person and you’re around and that’s the main thing.”
His speaking out over the cancer diagnosis comes as an invite has been made for all black men between the ages of 45 and 74 to take part in a prostate cancer screening trial
Barnes is the latest Liverpool legend to speak out about their battle with cancer with Reds icons Sir Kenny Dalglish and Kevin Keegan both revealing their diagnosis.
Sir Kenny, 75, announced he is undergoing treatment for cancer after mistakenly posting on social media.
“As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” said Dalglish.
Barnes shared his cancer diagnosis after two Liverpool icons announced their own battles(Image: Popperfoto via Getty Images)
“Unlike my mobile phone use, the treatment is going well. Ideally, this would have remained private because that’s the way it should be, but my useless technology skills have forced my hand.
“Obviously I did not mean to make this matter public so I would appreciate it if the privacy of my family and myself are respected.
“As ever, thank you to the wonderful medical staff who have shown incredible care and discretion, not just for me but for many, many others. They are a credit to themselves.”
Sir Kenny Dalglish announced he is currently battling cancer(Image: (Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images))
Former England and Newcastle manager Keegan also revealed this week he has stage four cancer after first announcing his battle in January.
Keegan provided an update on his health during an appearance at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House over the weekend.
In quotes reported by the Daily Mail, Keegan said: “They said we have a top doctor with this new way of fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer.
“He was a Liverpool supporter so I went to meet him. I knew I wouldn’t be walking alone, if you know what I mean.”
