Busted’s James Bourne has shared a candid reflection on the difficulties of finalizing his latest creative project while managing ongoing health struggles. The musician, who previously stepped back from the band’s recent tour to address his medical needs, revealed that he feared he might never complete his upcoming album, Murder At The Gates.

In April, Bourne shared a statement with fans explaining that he required “major surgery” to extend his life. Despite the severity of his situation, he remained committed to the project he has been developing for over 13 years—a musical written by Tony Award-winning playwright Steven Sater. Speaking to The Sun, Bourne admitted, “There was a fear of not finishing it. But I knew I had to finish it and give this to the people.”

Bourne noted that the forced downtime from touring provided him with a “gift of time” to focus on his work. “I didn’t want my health to stop me from promoting this project because I’ve put 13 years of my life into it,” he explained. The resulting album, which marks his debut as a producer, is set for release on July 1 and features a guest appearance from Stranger Things actor Gaten Matarazzo.

Reflecting on his absence from the band’s joint tour with McFly, Bourne expressed that while it was a “shame” to step away, he chose to channel his energy into something positive. His bandmates, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson, have been vocal in their support throughout his recovery. During the tour, Willis addressed the crowd, stating, “James Bourne is really fucking sick and we love him and we miss him,” while emphasizing that the band’s priority was his health.

@sineadmcfly

Wishing James a speedy recovery. They were great without him! #busted #jamesbourne #mcfly #bustedvsmcfly #fyp @Busted

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Busted continues to evolve, having recently collaborated with producer Jordan Fish. As Bourne prepares for the release of his new musical project, his focus remains on delivering the work he has poured over a decade into, proving that even in the face of significant adversity, his creative drive remains undiminished.