Clean-Living Stone suffers from cancer

Charlie Watts, the Rolling Stones drummer, is being treated for throat cancer.

Watts, 63, who stopped smoking 20 years ago and was known as the "clean-living Stone" after giving up alcohol, was diagnosed with the disease in June after discovering a lump in his throat.

Watts, the oldest member of the Stones, whose records with them have sold millions around the world, was said to be in good form and has been walking to hospital to be treated.

Other members of the band have been informed and Watts was being cared for by Shirley, his wife for more than 40 years, and his 36-year-old daughter Seraphina, reports News Telegraph.

According to The Star, Watts is towards the end of a six-week course of radiotherapy at London's Royal Marsden Hospital. The spokesperson said he expects to recover: "He is expecting to make a full recovery and start work with the rest of the band later in the year."

An accomplished jazz musician, as well as the most laid-back member of the Stones, he returned to his first love earlier this year when he spent some time in April with his tentet performing a nightly slot at the world-famous at Ronnie Scott's jazz club in the West End of London.

He has regularly performed at jazz clubs throughout quieter spells of his career with the Stones.

Ronnie Wood, another member of the band, was told earlier this year to quit smoking by doctors after traces of emphysema were found during a routine scan.

The band are expected to go back to the recording studio in October to begin working on a new album, before embarking on another world tour understood to be starting next year, informs The Guardian.