The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, 68, is forced to leave the band for health reasons and shares a heartbreaking statement for his “wonderful, lifelong fans”

The Jam’s Bruce Foxton has announced he is leaving the band due to health reasons.

The 68-year-old singer shared a heartbreaking statement to his “wonderful, longtime fans” on the band’s official Facebook account on Tuesday.

Bruce announced that he will have to undergo an “immediate procedure” in hospital and needs to withdraw from The Jam in order to “make a full recovery.”

He wrote: ‘To all my wonderful long-time fans, as many of you know, my health has not been good over the past few years and the latest news is that I had to go to the hospital for an immediate procedure.

‘I am deeply sorry and saddened that I will not be able to perform with From the Jam again until I have fully recovered.

‘The band has done everything they can to help me over the past few years and have even suggested several times that I take some time off to take care of my health and recover.

‘That time has now come, so I wish the band (my dear friends) continued success until my return and, God willing, I will see you all in the not too distant future on the ‘Setting Sons’ 45th anniversary tour. With much love and respect, Bruce X’

His beloved fans took to the comments to support Bruce, while congratulating him on his music over the years.

Some wrote: “Take your time Bruce. Your health is the most important thing you need to take care of. We can take care of ourselves. You’ve already given so much to all of us young man.”

“After purchasing my first Jam album in 1977, I was so grateful to finally be able to see you live in Brisbane earlier this year. Rest, recover, and most of all, thank you.”

Take care and get well soon, Bruce. I have really enjoyed watching you play for many years and I hope to do so again soon when you are fully recovered. You have always been my idol.

Take care, Bruce. In the end, that’s all that matters: your health. I wish you a speedy recovery.

The Jam were disbanded in 1982 by frontman Paul Weller after just five years together.

In that time, they’ve amassed an impressive 18 singles and seven albums, all of which reached the top 40.

In 2019, Bruce revealed that he began using a hearing aid to mitigate the effects of tinnitus, a chronic condition that causes a constant ringing in the ears and can lead to irreversible hearing loss.

“I’m not completely deaf, but I do suffer from high-frequency hearing loss,” Bruce said.

“I’ve had tinnitus for years and have had to use a hearing aid from time to time. Back in the Jam days, we were a trio and we needed to play really loud to be as loud as possible,” he added.

In the United States, the disease is estimated to affect 32 percent of the population, according to studies by the National Center for Health Statistics.

The British Tinnitus Association has also said the number of people living with the condition will rise by more than 500,000 over the next decade.

Bruce attributes his hearing loss to years of performing so many live concerts and standing next to speakers.

“That means I have difficulty hearing high-pitched and higher-pitched sounds,” he said.

“But using a hearing aid has made a huge difference, as it is customised to amplify only the sounds I cannot hear. I am using it more and more,” he added.

He has highlighted the challenges of going to restaurants and bars without a hearing aid, saying that everything becomes a “mush”.

“It’s embarrassing because I’m trying to have a conversation and if it’s that loud, I can only say a few times: ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t understand that. What did you say?'”

Bruce said the condition has caused him to become a bit withdrawn and says that after the fourth time he asks what someone has said, he feels “too embarrassed to ask again.”

Following the split of The Jam, Bruce played bass in Stiff Little Fingers. In 2006, he formed the tribute band From The Jam.