CJ Wildheart, founding member of The Wildhearts, has opened up about reaching out to former bandmate Ginger Wildheart following his terminal cancer diagnosis and decision to refuse treatment.
The comments came after CJ was asked directly about the conversation the two had once Ginger announced he had two to three years left to live. When asked, “You communicated with Ginger after he announced that due to cancer he has just two to three years left to live. What can you tell us of that conversation?” CJ responded:
“I sent him an honest and open message. We hadn’t spoken in three years because The Wildhearts ended badly.”
“His diagnosis came as a shock, though I wasn’t shocked that he decided against treatment – that’s a very Ginger-esque stance. Although I said he didn’t need to reply to my message, he did, and with a really nice message.”
CJ went on to describe the broader hope behind the outreach, including the possibility of a full band reunion.
“I built a bridge between us. Whether or not Ginger decides to come over that bridge and meet me in the middle is up to him, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t love to get myself, Danny [McCormack, bass] and Ritchie [Battersby, drums] back together again to close the circle.”
Ginger’s diagnosis and the fractured history between him and CJ add important context to why this outreach carries so much weight for both men and for fans of the band.
Ginger revealed earlier this year that he has Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was given a prognosis of roughly two to three years to live. He has chosen not to pursue treatment, explaining that he wants to “die with dignity” rather than spend his remaining time undergoing aggressive medical intervention.
The Wildhearts were formed in Newcastle in 1989. They went on to become one of the most influential British rock acts of their era, scoring multiple top-20 singles and two top-10 albums. The band’s turbulent internal history, including CJ’s own departure and the falling out that followed, has long overshadowed their commercial success. This turmoil made any reconciliation between former members a significant moment for longtime followers.
Despite his diagnosis, Ginger has continued to perform and create. He has kept his touring commitments, with all currently scheduled shows set to go ahead. He has also said he is still writing new music. He displayed a strikingly upbeat outlook on his situation while speaking backstage at Download Festival earlier this year, telling those around him he intends to keep living and performing to the fullest rather than dwelling on his prognosis.
CJ’s message, and Ginger’s warm response to it, mark a rare thaw in a relationship that had been silent for three years. Whether that reconciliation eventually leads to a full Wildhearts reunion with Danny McCormack and Ritchie Battersby remains uncertain. The bridge CJ describes building appears to be the first step toward closing a chapter that has weighed on the band’s legacy for years.
