Busted's James Bourne says 'hero' brother saved his life with kidney donation

ByIan Youngs

Culture reporter

Busted star James Bourne has said his brother "saved my life" by donating a kidney, after doctors had given him "a few years left to live".

The guitarist, 43, dropped out of an arena tour featuring his band and fellow punk-pop favourites McFly in September 2025, just a day before it began.

He blamed health problems and was replaced by his younger brother Chris.

James later said he needed major surgery to "extend my life", and has now thanked his "hero" Chris and said they are both recovering from their transplant operations.

Bourne standing and posing with Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis in 2023; Simpson has his arms around the other two's shoulders — Image caption,
Bourne with his Busted bandmates Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis in 2023

"Wow, what the hell happened?" James wrote on Monday. "One minute you're heading out on tour, the next thing you know you're on the bench and out of the game.

"My condition was serious and the doctors told me I had a few years left to live.

"I'm happy to share now that my youngest brother, Chris, who stepped in for me on tour last year, has saved my life yet again. This time quite literally by donating me one of his kidneys."

Chris Bourne, with blonde hair and a denim jacket, in 2021 — Image caption,
Chris Bourne went on tour with Busted after his brother was forced to drop out

James continued: "I can't believe how much better I'm starting to feel already.

"I'm still going to need some time, but I wanted you to know that we're both recovering from surgery just fine. My brother is a hero."

Chris posted his own message on X saying simply: "We did it brother."

Bourne has not given any more details of his condition.

Bourne standing and posing with Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis in 2004; Simpson has his arms around the other two's shoulders — Image caption,
Busted had eight top 10 hits in the UK between 2002 and 2004

The guitarist, vocalist and songwriter shot to fame with Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis in Busted in the early 2000s, and the trio had hits including What I Go To School For, Year 3000 and Crashed the Wedding.

They scored four number one singles in the UK before splitting up in 2005. In 2013, Bourne and Willis teamed up with McFly to make McBusted, before Simpson rejoined Busted for a full reunion in 2015.

Bourne has written songs for McFly and 5 Seconds of Summer, and also fronted his own band, Son of Dork. He recently released the music from his stage musical Murder at the Gates.