Image copyright Getty Images Image caption The artist's autobiography was released last October

Singer Morrissey has revealed he has had four medical procedures he has described as "cancer-scrapings".

The ex-Smiths star has recently battled bouts of ill health but revealed the cancer news during an email interview with Spanish newspaper El Mundo.

"I have had four cancer-scrapings, but so what. If I die, I die," he wrote. "If I don't, then I don't. As I sit here today I feel very well."

The singer started his latest European tour in Lisbon, Portugal, on Monday.

In the exchange with journalist Javier Blanquez, he wrote: "I know I look quite bad on recent photographs, but I am afraid this is what illness does to the overall countenance. I will save relaxation for when I'm dead."

Morrissey's representatives were not available to comment.

Health problems

The announcement comes after the star cancelled part of a US tour when he was treated in hospital for a respiratory infection in June.

He also scrapped 22 US concerts last year due to ill health. His other recent ailments have included pneumonia, an ulcer, the throat condition Barrett's oesophagus and anaemia.

The 55-year-old singer published his autobiography last year and is currently working on his debut novel.

"I will be delighted to see it in print next year, and I might have no reason to sing again... which will make many people very happy!" he said.

"I have reached the age where making music is meant to be over... as in finished with... so many classical composers were dead at 34.

"So, I am still here, and nobody knows what to do with me, and a lot of people still want to listen to me."

The star's next concert is scheduled for Madrid, Spain, on Thursday, and he is due to play 30 further concerts across Europe, finishing the tour in Greece in December.

The only UK date of the tour will be at London's O2 Arena on 29 November.