George Harrison

[Guest guest]

> today the Italian TV broadcasted the sad news that George Harrison has a

> brain cancer and declares that wants to spend his final days with the

> Hare Krishnas.

>

> Can anyone confirm this? I believe it appeared on London's most famous

> newspaper.

 

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Former Beatle George Harrison and his wife issued

a written statement Monday denying published reports that he was close to

death after recent treatment for cancer.

 

The English newspaper the Daily Mail on Sunday said Harrison had told his

friend and former Beatles producer George Martin "that he does not have

long to live."

 

The newspaper quoted Martin as saying: "He is taking it easy and hoping

that the thing will go away. He has an indomitable spirit, but he knows

that he is going to die soon and he is accepting that."

 

The Harrison statement used strong language to deny the Daily Mail's

story: "We are disappointed and disgusted by the report," it said. "It was

unsubstantiated, untrue and totally uncalled for, when in fact Mr.

Harrison is active and feeling very well. It has caused untold distress

amongst our family and friends. The original 'story' was conjured up by

the National Enquirer, the Globe and the Daily Mail."

 

Two weeks ago, Harrison told his fans he was feeling fine after undergoing

radiotherapy at a Swiss cancer clinic.

 

Swiss cancer specialist Franco Cavalli confirmed that he had recently

treated Harrison.

 

At the beginning of May, Harrison had surgery at the Mayo Clinic in the

United States to remove a cancerous growth from one of his lungs.

 

Harrison overcame throat cancer in 1998, which he blamed on smoking. He

was given the all-clear after radiation therapy.

 

Just over 18 months ago, Harrison survived a life-and-death struggle of a

very different kind -- with a knife-wielding intruder who stabbed him in

the chest.

 

The former Beatle was almost killed in the attack at his home near London

in late 1999. He was saved by his wife, Olivia, who hit the attacker on

the head with a poker and table lamp.