Ambulance

Rock Singer Receives Life-Saving Kidney Transplant From Younger Brother

Frontman of the band Busted, James Bourne, revealed that his younger brother "saved his life" by donating one of his kidneys.

Busted frontman James Bourne revealed that his younger brother "saved his life" by donating a kidney after doctors gave him a daunting prognosis of a few years to live.

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The 43-year-old guitarist and vocalist withdrew from the band's arena tour in September 2025, one day before it began, citing health issues.

"There's a lot of information I still don't have about my condition, but my bandmates, management and I are unanimous in deciding that I should focus on the medical stuff for now," Bourne said last fall, per The Independent.

"I really hope I can be in a position to come back further down the line. It's still going to be an amazing show and I will miss being there!" he added. "See you all as soon as possible."

Turns out the rock singer needed a kidney transplant and received the life-changing transplant from his brother, Chris Bourne.

Chris told The Sun that he saw immediate improvements in his brother's condition following the procedure.

"When James went in [for surgery], he said he had trouble reading the clock," Chris said. "But when he came out of the operation and was taken to his room, he could see the clock.

"The whole process of receiving a new kidney isn't as instant as that," Chris added. "But for some things, it's pretty instantaneous. It's incredible."

Busted Frontman Calls Brother a "Hero" After Successful Kidney Transplant

James Bourne detailed his scary prognosis and recovery process on

"What the hell happened?" he said. "One minute you're heading out on tour, the next thing you know you're on the bench and out of the game. My condition was serious and the doctors told me I had a few years left to live."

James Bourne hailed his brother as a "hero" and said that he feels much better after the procedure.

"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," said Bourne.

He continued: "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."