November 16th 2024.
Lee Brennan, one of the beloved stars of the 90s boyband 911, recently opened up about his past struggles with cancer and how they shaped his determination to chase his dreams. In a heartfelt interview, Lee shared the emotional memories of being labeled "the cancer boy" at a young age and how it affected his life.
Lee, along with his bandmates Jimmy Constable and Spike Dawbarn, rose to fame in the UK after forming the band in 1995. They soon became international sensations, with their music topping charts in Southeast Asia and selling millions of records. Lee was just 22 when the band was formed, while Jimmy was 24 and Spike was 21. Reflecting on their early days, Lee, now 51, appeared on BBC Two's Boybands Forever, where he discussed his passion for pursuing a career in the music industry.
"I always had big dreams and aspirations," Lee shared, "but being a part of 911 gave me a chance to make those dreams a reality." Their manager, Steve Gilmour, also reminisced about the time he first met Lee, saying, "As soon as I saw him, I knew he was perfect for the band. He looked the part and had the same personality as the other members."
Lee admitted that he was just a regular guy from Carlisle, working as a receptionist at a bowling center, and the thought of being in a boyband seemed like a far-fetched dream. "I couldn't believe it when I found out I might be in a boyband. I was running around telling everyone, 'I might be like Take That!' It was like a dream come true," he laughed.
As a child, Lee had battled with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a rare form of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. He was known as "the cancer boy" in school and had to undergo treatment at the tender ages of nine and 15. "Losing my hair was one of the toughest things for me. It had a huge impact on my confidence, and I used to wear a cap to school," Lee shared, getting emotional as he looked back on his childhood. "But I always had these big dreams and aspirations. I wanted to do everything because I never thought I'd get the chance to."
Despite the challenges he faced, Lee never let his illness hold him back from pursuing his dreams. In fact, it only motivated him to work harder. "I think there was something inside me that was quite needy and craving something like that, needing some attention," he said, reflecting on his desire to succeed in the music industry.
Unfortunately, Lee's cancer treatment left him infertile, but he didn't let that stop him from making a positive impact in the world. He went on to study counseling skills in college and started a nutrition and coaching business to help others. "My experiences taught me patience, observance, and the power of positive thinking," Lee shared in a previous interview with Contact magazine.
After their initial breakup, 911 reunited in 2012 for ITV2's The Big Reunion, which featured other popular bands like Atomic Kitten and Liberty X. They even released a comeback album and went on tour. In 2019, they had a sold-out concert in Southeast Asia, and last year, they collaborated with Vietnamese singer Đức Phúc for a bilingual version of their hit song "I Do."
Lee attributes his positive mindset to his struggles with cancer and believes it has opened doors to a fulfilling life. "I'm proud that I've overcome all the different emotional obstacles that cancer can put in your way," he shared. "Now, I live life without being afraid of making mistakes or failing at something. It's a positive mindset that has led to so many amazing opportunities."
As fans eagerly await more updates on 911's comeback, they can catch Lee and the band on BBC's Boybands Forever, a trip down memory lane for all the 90s music lovers. And if you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, feel free to reach out to us - we'd love to hear from you.
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