Brian Kennedy is one of Ireland's favourite singers. He last spoke to us on The Last Word over two years ago, when he was diagnosed with cancer.

He says it has been a strange couple of years, and he has had lots of people showing concern for how he is and offering opinions on treatment. 

During all of this, his brother passed away from pancreatic cancer, and he also lost a friend recently to a brain tumour.

Brian is now about to have surgery. He says he feels glad, but also nervous, having never had surgery before. It will take eight hours, and he has had to adjust to the idea of having a colostomy bag.

At first he was unsure, but his decision was helped by "meeting other people in colostomy situations. I didn't want to leave any stone unturned."

Brian's surgery could cost anything up to £90,000. As a result, a fundraiser ball has been organised by friends. It will take place at the Clayton Hotel just before Christmas. He has been touched by the show of support: "I didn't realise how much love there was out there."

Brian also wants to raise awareness of the illness.

"I never thought I would have cancer this long. That's one of the reasons I wanted to speak about it, because I know that it's affecting somebody right now who has symptoms and who is afraid to go to their GP."

To catch the full chat press the play button on the image on the top of the screen