Former Liverpool legend and England striker John Barnes has opened up about his prostate cancer diagnosis and surgery, sharing his cancer battle and recovery after having his prostate removed.
18:04, 02 Jun 2026Updated 18:11, 02 Jun 2026
John Barnes has revealed he underwent surgery for prostate cancer(Image: Offside via Getty Images)
John Barnes has disclosed that he underwent surgery to remove his prostate following a prostate cancer diagnosis. The 62-year-old former England and Liverpool striker made the revelation during an interview on Times Radio.
Barnes explained that “not many people know” about his condition, but confirmed he is now “fine”.
“I’ve had prostate cancer, I’ve had my prostate out, not many people know and it’s a bit of a taboo subject because we support women with breast cancer and it’s not even an issue,” he told Times Radio.
“Whereas with men, the government say, ‘yeah, prostate cancer, we need more awareness, we need people to come forward and in black men it’s more prevalent’. 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.
“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. But you’re not, you’re exactly the same, you’re the same person and you’re around and that’s the main thing.”
Barnes’ revelation comes on the same day that Reds legend Sir Kenny Dalglish shared in a social media post that he is undergoing treatment for cancer. He did not intend to make the news public but accidentally revealed the news online and has now asked for privacy.
“As my inadvertent social media post has indicated, I am currently undergoing treatment for cancer,” Dalglish said. “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.”
In response to the news, Liverpool FC said: “The support, best wishes and love of everyone at Liverpool FC are, and will be, with Sir Kenny and his family. The club would also like to underscore his request for privacy moving forward.”
Another Liverpool hero, Kevin Keegan, also revealed this week he has stage four cancer.
Keegan has been undergoing treatment in recent months. “I was in a car accident and, through that, I had to have an operation,” he said at an event this week.
“Whilst having the scan for the operation, they found out I had cancer. They said they had an absolute top doctor for fighting what you have got, which is stage four cancer.
“So I went to meet him. He’s a Liverpool supporter so I knew I wouldn’t walk alone. He said, ‘Kevin, this new treatment, I’ve got a tremendous strike rate’.
“I said, ‘What’s your strike rate?’ He said, ’33 per cent’. I thought it would be 80 per cent, 90 per cent. 33 per cent! I’m still here at the moment.”
