Morrissey has revealed that he was warned by his doctor that if he carried on with his tour last year then he would die.

He made the revelation in an interview with Chilean newspaper Entretencion and that despite the warning, he still carried on.

This is a translation of what Morrissey told the newspaper: “It was terrible. I had played in January in Ohio, and I was perfect, but the next night at the hotel I collapsed. I lost consciousness and when I recovered, I was covered in black blood and did not know what it was. I was taken to a hospital where it was quickly discovered I had an ulcer, Barrett's esophagus, and double pneumonia.

I spent over four weeks with intravenous medication, but I refused a blood transfusion. I managed to do some more shows in the U.S., but when I arrived in Mexico the doctors told me to stop. Not being able to finish the tour was devastating, but doctors warned me: 'A few weeks ago you almost died, and now you say you'll do 18 shows more? Are you trying to kill yourself?' In fact, I think that was what I was doing!”

He revealed that he was also advised by doctors to retire for the sake of his health, advice which he has chosen to ignore saying he would rather die on the stage than “on a sofa covered with breadcrumbs.”