The Troggs - Reg Presley Diagnosed With Lung Cancer, Retires

The British rocker, 70, was treated for pneumonia and fluid on his heart after falling ill last month (Dec11), but he has since been given some really bad news about his poor health.

Doctors have discovered cancerous cells in his lungs and the diagnosis has prompted the Wild Thing singer to call time on his career.

In a post on the band's official website, he writes, "As you all know I was taken ill whilst doing a gig in Germany in December. During my stay in hospital tests showed that in fact I have lung cancer. I am receiving chemotherapy treatment and at the moment not feeling too bad.

"However, I’ve had to call time on The Troggs and retire. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for the cards and calls and for your love, loyalty and support over the years."

This marks the latest health battle for Presley - he suffered a serious stroke during a family vacation in Spain in 2010.

As the leader of The Troggs, Presley enjoyed success throughout the 1960s with songs like Wild Thing and Love is All Around. He had a career rebirth in the mid-1990s when Wet Wet Wet's cover of Love is All Around spent 15 weeks at the top of the British pop charts.