Boyzone's Duffy has emergency op

29th April 2009

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8024527.stm

Boyzone singer Keith Duffy has undergone an emergency operation to correct a double hernia, two days after completing the London Marathon.

The 34-year-old is making a good recovery and will be well enough for the start of the re-formed band's tour on 25 May, their website states.

Duffy, who also appeared in Coronation Street as Ciaran McCarthy, suffered stomach pains during Sunday's race.

The Irish five-piece announced their comeback tour in November.

'Never again!'

Duffy, Ronan Keating, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch and Mikey Graham will embark upon a series of dates across the UK and Ireland over the summer.

The act, who had six UK number one singles between 1994 and their split in 2000, released a greatest hits album in October, which made number four in the album chart.

Keating, who embarked upon the most successful solo career of the group, also ran the marathon.

Duffy completed the course in three hours and fifty-minutes, with Keating following on in four hours and fifteen.

According to Boyzone's website, the pair both said "Never again!" when they crossed over the finishing line.

Duffy was treated in a Dublin hospital and has been advised to rest following his surgery.