Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell Reveals His Cancer Has Returned, But He Refuses to Live in Fear
By Website Content Manager
“There Was Only One Time I Truly Thought It Might Kill Me,” Says Def Leppard’s Vivian Campbell
Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell has revealed that his cancer has returned after a donor stem cell transplant failed to put the disease into remission.
The 63-year-old Irish musician was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2013. In June 2025, Campbell said he was in complete remission and explained that doctors had recommended a donor stem cell transplant as his best chance of achieving a lasting cure.
However, in a recent interview with Francisco Sigüenza of El Salvador’s Radio YSKL FM, Campbell disclosed that the transplant he underwent in January 2025 was unsuccessful. He said the cancer has since returned and that he continues to receive treatment to keep the disease under control.
Campbell recalled that the most frightening period of his battle came during the winter of 2023, when he became concerned about how quickly his condition was progressing. That experience convinced him that a donor transplant was necessary if he wanted the best chance of survival.
Although he may eventually need another transplant using a different donor, Campbell says he has no intention of putting his life on hold. Alongside his work with Def Leppard and his side project Last In Line, he has also been pursuing his passion for rally driving, something he had always wanted to try.
For Campbell, continuing to live fully is an important part of dealing with his illness. He encouraged people diagnosed with cancer to acknowledge the fear that naturally comes with the news but not allow it to control their lives.
The guitarist said he has never wanted his diagnosis to stop him from enjoying life. Rather than withdrawing from the activities he loves, he has chosen to keep moving forward and make the most of his time.