James Bourne, the guitarist from the British pop band Busted, has addressed recent rumors about undergoing "life-extending surgery." He clarified on social media on 17 September that he has not had the procedure yet, and that some reports suggesting otherwise were inaccurate. Bourne had previously canceled the band’s UK and Ireland tour in September 2023 due to "health problems," explaining at the time that he and his bandmates were focusing on medical matters. His recent comments aim to correct misunderstandings about his health and current activities. Despite his health issues, Bourne has remained active in his music career. Earlier this month, he was seen publicly for the first time in months, attending a London gig with Hilary Duff’s husband, Matthew Koma. Although he was unable to perform, Bourne released a new concept album titled Murder At The Gates in July, in collaboration with playwright Steven Sater. The album is being developed into a murder mystery musical, and Bourne has stated that he wants to continue promoting the project despite his health challenges, having spent 13 years working on it. In an interview with The Sun, Bourne discussed his health struggles, saying he was given "a gift of time" during his break from touring. He used this period to complete his album, expressing regret about having to cancel the tour but emphasizing his desire to turn difficult experiences into positive ones. Bourne’s dedication to his music and creative projects reflects his determination to keep moving forward despite his challenges. Busted originally formed in 2002 with Bourne, lead singer Charlie Simpson, and bassist Matt Willis. Their debut single, "What I Go to School For," reached number three in the UK Singles Chart, and their self-titled debut album hit number two in the UK Albums Chart. "You Said No" became their first number one single in 2003. The band split in 2005 after Simpson left, but Bourne and Willis later formed the supergroup McBusted with McFly. Simpson returned in 2015, reuniting the original trio.