James Ford, producer for Fontaines D.C., Arctic Monkeys, shares leukemia diagnosis

Music
21 Jan 25

James Ford. Credit: Pip Bourdillon

The English producer is also known for his work with the likes of Blur, Depeche Mode and The Last Dinner Party.

In a post shared to his Instagram, renowned producer James Ford has revealed that, after "feeling pretty rough in the run up to Christmas", he has been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Ford – a member of Simian Mobile Disco, as well as the supergroup The Last Shadow Puppets – has had a major influence on the UK and Irish indie scene as a producer. In addition to his more recent work on the likes Fontaines D.C.'s Grammy-nominated album Romance, The Last Dinner Party's Prelude to Ecstasy, and Beth Gibbons' Lives Outgrown, he is also known for producing projects by Arctic Monkeys, Blur, Depeche Mode, Foals, Florence + The Machine, Gorillaz, Klaxons, Jessie Ware, Kylie Minogue, and the Pet Shop Boys.

Although Ford says the diagnosis has been "a huge shock", and is "serious", he also notes that "it is curable", and he has recently started "pretty aggressive chemo to treat it."

"I’m in Barts Hospital, who are world leaders in leukaemia treatments, and I’ve had excellent care from our wonderful NHS, both initially in Canterbury Hospital before being moved here to Barts just last week," his post reads. "I’m very aware that it’s gonna be a bumpy road ahead but I’m confident, upbeat, and ready to fight and I hope to be out the other side of the initial treatment in 6-8 months time.

"Needless to say, I’ve had to clear my work diary which has meant putting on hold a lot of very exciting musical projects I was eager to get stuck into," he continues. "Whilst this is a massive shame, I know they will go on to deliver great records with whoever takes the reins, and I wish them all the best.

"I am really looking forward to getting back into the studio in my own time so that I can once again work on the music that is dear to me.

"I want to express the deepest possible gratitude to my family, friends and colleagues who have been so supportive at this difficult time, particularly my wife Sereen and all the NHS staff who’ve looked me so brilliantly."