You know he has, he really has...

Frank Sidebottom creator Chris Sievey has been diagnosed with cancer.

He has vowed to keep gigging for ‘another 25 years’ after the condition was confirmed.

Sievey posted the news in character as the papier-mache headed musician from Timperley on his MySpace page.

Under the headline ‘Oh blimey’ he gave his mood as ‘full of gusto’ and wrote: ‘Well,after all the hospital tests of scans, and C-rays and cameras down me etc etc... yes I've got cancer!!!

‘But don't worry, I’m not going anywhere just yet, and I’m looking forward to another 25 years in fantastic semi-professional show-bizness first!!!

‘So I’ve got a few weeks off from live shows now to have a couple of ops and get shut!!!’

Sieveyhas a tumour in his chest, close to his oesophagus, which is affecting his ability to eat.

He created Sidebottom in the Eighties to help promote a computer game called The Biz which he wrote for the ZX Spectrum, and built up a cult audience on the North-West comedy circuit, which grew through festival and TV appearances.

The character appeared to retire in the mid-Nineties, but started making a comeback around five years ago, and has recently been supporting comic poet John Cooper Clarke on a UK tour.

Here he is in action:

Published: 13 May 2010