Ashton Irwin Was Close To Death

5 Seconds of Summer's Ashton Irwin was hours away from death when he had his appendix removed.

The 20-year-old hunk decided to check himself in to hospital last month after feeling unwell, but has now revealed he could have died if he had waited any longer before seeking medical attention.

He said: ''If I went on a plane it would've burst - and I was meant to get on a plane that day.''

The four-piece band - which also includes Michael Clifford, Luke Hemmings and Calum Hood - were set to take to the stage at the Radio 1 Teen Choice Awards in October (19.10.14) alongside The Vamps, Ariana Grande and Ella Henderson, but were forced to withdraw from the show just days before the performance when Ashton - who is the band's drummer - began receiving emergency treatment for appendicitis.

However, the playful star - who later underwent an operation to remove his appendix - wasn't too bothered about his scrape with death, and was more concerned by the fact he was unable to keep the organ as a souvenir.

He joked to The Sun newspaper: ''It was taken out but they wouldn't let me keep it. You can't do that anymore.''

During his stint in hospital, the bored star added that he was more concerned about the cosmetic appearance of his navel than the success of the operation.

He tweeted: ''You know when ya think you have a normal belly button... And then you have surgery and you're belly button is now butt ugly. (sic)''