Slade’s Noddy Holder, 77, reveals his secret five year throat cancer battle as his wife Suzan says he was given six months to live

Slade star Noddy Holder has revealed he battled throat cancer for five years and was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed.

His wife Susan, 57, detailed Noddy’s secret health battle on Thursday in an emotional piece written for Great British Life.

Noddy, 77, underwent a new trial of chemotherapy that helped keep him alive.

Susan wrote: “Five years ago we received the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only six months to live.

“I’m sorry if it’s a bit of a shock; and it was like a total bomb for us. We dealt with it the only way we could, by huddling, sticking together and doing everything we could to survive it.

Sad news: Slade’s Noddy Holder, 77, has revealed his secret five-year battle with throat cancer as his wife Susan said he was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed

Susan wrote: “Five years ago we received the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only six months to live. “I’m sorry if that’s a bit of a shocker” (pictured together in 2003)

Iconic: Noddy is best known for the group’s hit song Merry Christmas Everone – pictured in 1972.

“We only told close family and friends and I will never apologize to those we didn’t confide in, only to those who were forced to endure pain and suffering alongside us as we tried to navigate this new and terrifying world.”

Susan married Noddy in 2004 and said the Merry Christmas Everione singer managed to keep a positive outlook despite his health problems.

He was treated at The Christie Hospital in Manchester and underwent a revolutionary new form of chemotherapy which helped keep him alive.

Susan wrote: “There were no guarantees, no one knew if it would work, let alone work miracles, but he responded well. As anyone who has been diagnosed with cancer will know, experts never like to use the word ‘cure’, but here we are five years later and he’s feeling good and looking great.

Slade has earned himself six UK number one singles throughout his career.

Their last number one song, Merry Christmas Everyone, is their biggest hit and reportedly brings in £500,000 in royalties alone each year.

Firm friends: Noddy pictured (bottom centre) with the rest of Slade, (pictured in 1975)