Who is Slade frontman Noddy Holder and what has he said about his cancer diagnosis?

NODDY Holder shot to fame in the 70s as the flamboyant frontman of rock band Slade.

Famous for shouting "It's Christmas" in his hit song Merry Christmas Everybody, the singer has given fans an update on his cancer diagnosis.

Born on June 15, 1946, Neville John “Noddy” Holder is an English musician and actor.

He was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the English band Slade, one of the UK’s most successful bands in the 70s. 

Their biggest hit was Merry Christmas Everybody in 1973, with its memorable chorus: "So here it is, Merry Christmas, Everybody's having fun."

Noddy left Slade after 25 years to pursue his career in television and radio in 1992.

The singer was awarded an MBE in 2000 for services to showbusiness.

In 2001, he was awarded the Gold Badge of Merit by the British Academy of Composers and Songwriters

Noddy's cancer update

The Slade star revealed he has been battling throat cancer since 2018 and was given six months to live when he was first diagnosed. 

His wife Suzan shared Noddy’s secret health battle in an emotional piece written for Great British Life in October 2023.

Suzan shared: "Five years ago we were given the devastating news that he had oesophageal cancer and only had six months to live.

"I’m sorry if that comes as a bit of a shock; it came as a total bombshell to us too.

"We coped with it the only way we could, by hunkering down, sticking together and doing everything we could to survive it."

Noddy underwent a new trial of chemotherapy which has helped to keep him alive.

Suzan wrote: "There were no guarantees, no one knew if it would have any effect, let alone work miracles, but he responded well. 

"As anyone who has received a cancer diagnosis will know, the experts never like to use the word 'cure', but here we are five years later and he’s feeling good and looking great."

In December 2024, Noddy gave an update on his health.

Speaking to Sky News he said: “I did have oesophageal cancer and that was five years ago and, at the moment, they’re still keeping a check on me.

“I’m on a level playing field at the moment after at the time being diagnosed with six months to live.

“So I’ve lasted the course, as it were.”

Meet the missus

Loose Women producer turned novelist Suzan Holder, has been with the former Slade lead singer for 32 years.

The couple have been married since 2004 and have a son named Django.

Writing in her column last year for Cheshire Life magazine, Suzan shared what Christmas is like in her household: "Christmas a deux with Noddy Holder has its moments and yes, he does wake me up on December 25th by bellowing….can you guess? If you think it’s loud on the record, you have no idea!”

She added: “Trying to do my Christmas shopping is often a bizarre experience as my husband’s voice follows me everywhere I go.”

Noddy's kids

Noddy has two daughters, Charisse and Jessica, from his first marriage and one son Django from his second marriage with his wife Suzan.

The singer married his first wife, dress designer Leandra Russell, in 1976, with the couple divorcing in 1984.

Reminiscing on his memories from their time together, Noddy told The Guardian in 2015: "She didn’t like me at first.

"She thought I was a Jack the lad, which I was, and didn’t think Slade was a very cool band.

"But she learned to like the other side of me and we got married when she got pregnant with our first child, Charisse.

"Jessica came along two years later."

Talking to The Guardian about his son, Noddy shared: "Django was born when I was 49.

"I never expected to be a dad again and thought long and hard about whether it was the right thing to do, but decided to go for it.

"It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

"We named him after Django Reinhardt, the French Gypsy jazz guitarist, whose music I love. It suits him.

"As soon as I saw him, I thought he’s a Holder and a Django!"