TV on the Radio’s Gerard Smith has been diagnosed with lung cancer.

The bassist and keyboardist discovered his illness after the band completed their new album and is currently taking treatment. He will sit out the forthcoming tour in New York.

The band wrote on their website that “Gerard is fortunate enough to have health insurance and is receiving excellent medical care. Already we have seen dramatic results. Combine that with Gerard’s legendarily wilful disposition and it might just be cancer that has the problem.”

TV on the Radio launch their latest tour, without Smith, at SXSW on Thursday. 

Watch TV on the Radio perform 'Wolf Like Me' on The Late Show with David Letterman below: