Morrissey is being treated for cancer.

The former Smiths singer has been hospitalised on several occasions over the last 18 months and he has now revealed that doctors have also been dealing with cancerous tissue in his body.

Despite his diagnosis, the 55-year-old songwriter insists he isn't afraid of death and accepts it is something that comes to us all.

Although he did not reveal what type of cancer he has, Morrissey confessed to Spanish newspaper El Mundo : "They have scraped cancerous tissues four times already, but whatever. If I die, then I die. And if I don't, then I don't.

"Right now I feel good. I am aware that in some of my recent photos I look somewhat unhealthy, but that's what illness can do. I'm not going to worry about that, I'll rest when I'm dead."

Shocked fans are reacting to the news today.

Morrissey's health issues have included a bleeding ulcer in early 2013, a double bout of pneumonia in March 2013, food poisoning in July 2013 and a respiratory infection in June 2014 which forced him to cancel his US tour.

The Irish Blood, English Heart singer also claimed he's at an age where he should have stopped making music and thinks he may retire from songwriting and performing once he has completed his first novel.

Morrissey - who was dropped by Harvest Records shortly after the release of his 10th studio album, World Peace is None of Your Business, in July - said: "I'm at an age when one should no longer be making music.

"Many composers of classical music died at age 34. And I'm still here, and nobody knows what to do with me. The audience that I have is very young, which leads me to think that the songs of the Smiths, as with those of the Ramones, are more significant now than before

"My novel is coming along well, but it would be presumptuous of me to talk about something that is not finalised yet. It will probably be published next year and with luck I will be able to stop singing forever, which would make many people happy!"

Video below shows Morrissey performing in Lisbon last night:

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Watch a fan tribute video to Morrissey, made by our colleagues at The Mirror