Andy Williams - Andy Williams Comes Out Fighting, Vows To Beat Cancer

The singer is remaining defiant in the wake of his diagnosis, which he first announced to the audience at his Christmas show on Saturday evening (6th November 2011) at his own venue, the Moon River Theatre in Branson, Missouri, saying, "I do have cancer of the bladder.But that is no longer a death sentence. People with cancer are getting through this thing. They're kicking it, and they're winning more and more every year. And I'm going to be one of them". The crooner, also known as The King of Hearts, was given a rapturous round of applause for his optimism, before continuing the show which included a selection of his biggest songs. As well as his back catalogue of smash hits, the 83-year-old is also known for his Emmy Award winning television show 'The Andy Williams Show' - a variety series that ran from 1962 to 1971.

Despite his diagnosis, the singer-songwriter told the crowd he intends to take to the stage in 2012, to celebrate a phenomenal 75 years in the entertainment business. He first tasted success in 1958, when his track 'Butterfly' topped the US chart.