It followed former Angels frontman Doc Neeson's report that he, too, was suffering from cancer. Bailey said last month: "In July last year I got a tumour in my lower left jawbone, which was removed and replaced with the tibia from my left leg. This was all good – except every time I passed a footy field I began to dribble.

"Subsequently, I have developed a rare cancer of the soft palate, for which I'm currently being treated. The treatment involves chemotherapy over the next 5-6 months, and then maybe some radiotherapy.