Noddy Holder: Five Years On, Fighting Cancer, and Spreading Festive Cheer
In this morning interview on 12 December 2024, Noddy Holder, legendary frontman of Slade, returned to the public eye with warmth, humor, and reflection. The conversation begins with Noddy acknowledging the festive season, a nod to Slade’s enduring association with Christmas music. He is in good spirits, describing himself as “on a level playing field” and doing well, a remarkable contrast to five years ago when he was diagnosed with esophageal cancer and given only six months to live. Thanks to experimental chemotherapy at The Christie in Manchester, Noddy is alive and thriving at 77, illustrating both the progress of medical treatments and his resilience.
The discussion then turns to his charitable efforts. Noddy and his wife Susan are raising funds for East Cheshire Hospice through a raffle featuring a unique sculpture of Noddy by artist Patty Callahan. He humorously emphasizes the care needed when handling the sculpture and shares anecdotes about previous sculptures of himself, including a larger-than-life Lego statue in Birmingham and even a cake on Bake Off. His pride and playful ego shine through these stories, reminding viewers of his larger-than-life personality on stage.
The interview also touches on Noddy’s past glam rock flamboyance with Slade. He recounts how he and guitarist Dave Hill would compete to be the most outrageous, still maintaining their playful rivalry today. Noddy shares charming domestic moments with his wife, illustrating how normal everyday life mixes with the legend’s larger-than-life persona.
Even now, Noddy continues performing, often with a ten-piece boogie-jazz band. Though he doesn’t sing throughout the entire show, he tells stories, plays music, and closes with several songs, keeping the festive spirit alive. The conversation includes a light-hearted discussion about his famous Christmas morning tradition, proving that his exuberant personality and iconic routines remain undiminished.
The interview closes with practical reminders for viewers: tickets for the raffle are £10 each, proceeds go entirely to East Cheshire Hospice, and the hospice will also collect used Christmas trees in January for donations, encouraging local engagement. Noddy’s mix of humor, resilience, and generosity leaves a lasting impression, showing how a legendary performer continues to impact both fans and his community, years after facing a life-threatening diagnosis.