WWE icon, 76, flooded with support from fans after revealing cancer update
WWE legend Ric Flair has informed fans that he must scrap a scheduled meet and greet due to 'health issues'.
The 76-year-old retired wrestler was inundated with supportive messages after sharing the update, having announced earlier this month that he had skin cancer.
Flair, whose real name is Richard Morgan Fliehr, said at the time that this is his second skin cancer diagnosis in three years.
He started undergoing treatment last week.
Now, the Memphis-born star has explained that his poor health means he cannot meet his supporters as planned tomorrow.
He was due to host the meet-and-greet event at a Mississippi wellness clinic. https://www.instagram.com/p/DK9mjPtuLDf/
Taking to Instagram, where he boasts 2.5million followers, he wrote: 'To All My Dear Friends And Fans- I Am So Sorry, That I Will Not Be Able To See You Tuesday. I Have Health Issues, That I Need To Attend To. As I Have Procrastinated Putting My Health First In The Past. Melanoma, I Have Found Out, Is Nothing To Play With. I Promise To See You ASAP. Please Continue To Love Ric Flair Drip, As @ricflairdrip Loves You [sic]'.
The WWE Hall of Famer soon had his fans wishing him well in the comments, assuring him that they understand his 'health comes first'.
'God bless you Ric. We love you. ❤️', commented @elainahubble.
@chrisbeepz added: 'take it easy legend 🙏🏽'.
'We love you Ric health comes first ❤️', wrote @mayne_dan.
The 16-time WWE champ initially denied his cancer diagnosis on X in a bid to keep it private.
However, once he felt ready, he confirmed it to People.
'It's the second time in three years that I've been dealing with skin cancer,' he told the outlet. 'I will be undergoing treatment next week.'
He also thanked people for their well wishes, adding: 'Appreciate the concerns!'
Flair's health woes have been well documented in recent years.
In August 2017, he was hospitalised with stomach pains. A few hours later, he was in the early stages of kidney failure.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest pro wrestlers of all time, Flair was also close to congestive heart failure.
His loved ones were prepared for the worst, as doctors informed them he only had a 20% likelihood of survival, having put him into a medically induced coma, where he remained for 11 days.
Flair had a pacemaker fitted and part of his bowel removed.
Speaking to People a month after the ordeal, he admitted just how bad it got.
'I crashed in an aeroplane and broke my back; I've been hit by lightning, but this is totally different,' he confessed. 'Anything I've been through before is nothing like this.'
Throughout it all was his partner, Wendy Barlow. They were together for 13 years before parting ways in September 2024.
However, Flair still cherishes how she cared for him, writing in a social media statement at the time their split became public: 'I'll Never Ever Be Able To Thank Her Enough For Standing By My Side Through My Terrible Health Crisis In 2017.'
'She Never Left My Side! And For That I Will Always Be Grateful! [sic]', he added.
Alas, his battles continued in 2019 when Flair was rushed to the Atlanta hospital emergency room after suffering a 'very serious' medical emergency. He went on to have heart surgery once again.
Flair's heart problems can be attributed to alcohol abuse, which he discussed in his book, Ric Flair: To Be the Man.
He shared that he suffered from alcoholic cardiomyopathy, which is a cardiac disease caused by chronic alcohol consumption
'I had one vice,' Flair told Sports Illustrated in 2017. 'I'm not going to point my finger at anybody else. My vice was drinking.
'I didn't have any pain issues, addiction problems, marijuana, cocaine, nothing like that. It's a fact that I kept myself up all night and always had a good time.' More Trending
Flair's wrestling career spanned 50 years before he retired in 2022.
The 'Nature Boy' won numerous titles and was named Wrestler of the Year on several occasions.
In his 2022 Peacock documentary Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair, then-wife Barlow said that Flair seemed to rely on his WWE persona to help him through tough times.
'I don't know how he survived,' she said. 'What he did was go back into Ric Flair, to be a character so he didn't have to feel.'
If you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with cancer, Macmillan can offer support and information.
You can contact their helpline on 0808 808 00 00 (7 days a week from 8am to 8pm), use their webchat service, or visit their site for more information.
View More »
MORE: The backlash against 'tradwife' influencer Nara Smith explained
MORE: Mariah Carey explains why she doesn't believe in the concept of time
MORE: Katy Perry's engagement ring missing with Orlando Bloom split rumours mounting
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
21 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Keith Urban surprises 'baby girl' Nicole Kidman with huge birthday celebration
Singer Keith Urban surprised his wife Nicole Kidman by taking time out of his tour to celebrate her 58th birthday by showering her with a bouquet of flowers and a trip to a football match Keith Urban has now upped the expectation of husbands around thew world after he surprised his wife Nicole Kidman for her 58th birthday. The country singer, 57, took time out of his High and Alive world tour to treat his wife and the mother of his two kids. The singer halted his tour to take Nicole to a soccer match at Geodis Park Stadium in Nashville, watching the World Club Cup Group D match between Los Angeles FC and Esperance Sportive de Tunis. Nicole was dressed in a white flower lace design dress which accentuated her enviable figure. Meanwhile. Keith was wearing a white and grey checked shirt, teamed with a pair of denim jeans. The pair appeared to be in full spirits as they enjoyed their time together. Earlier in the day, Nicole shared with fans that she had received a bouquet of flowers from her man. Keith, who is set to resume his tour in a Toronto, Caernatiojnada, paid tribute to his wife on Instagram. He captioned the post of his flower delivery: "Feeling the love today. Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she penned, while Keith added: "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABYGIRL." Back in January, at the Palm Springs International Film Festival, Nicole was awarded. She was gifted the coveted gong of International Star Award for her role in Babygirl. Taking to the stage, Nicole said: "This is for my mom." But it seems his efforts were slightly tainted by the first birthday since losing her mother in September, last year. She was 84 at the time. When the passing of her mother happened, Nicole took to social media to share with her fans: "My sister and I along with our family want to thank you for the outpouring of love and kindness we have felt this week." She added; " Every message we have received from those who loved and admired our Mother has meant more to us than we will ever be able to express." She continued: "Thank you from our whole family for respecting our privacy as we take care of each other. My whole career has been for my mom and my dad, who are not here now. I'm still going to keep working and giving to the world because I love what I do, and I'm grateful to be part of this film community." The award-winning actress concluded: "I feel my mom with me right now. This is for you."
Scottish Sun
28 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip
The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands GYPSY KING ON TOUR Tyson Fury drinks with locals in Scots bar and visits historic castle during road trip Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) TYSON Fury has been spotted drinking with locals in a bar and visited a historic castle during his Scottish road trip. The boxing icon, 36, visited north of the border for Netflix's At Home With The Furys. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Tyson Fury has been enjoying travelling around Scotland with his family Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The former world heavyweight champ visited the Claymore Bar in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Claymore Bar/Facebook 5 He posed with delighted locals as he downed pints in the Moray boozer Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram 5 The boxing hero also visited John o' Groats, the northernmost point of mainland Britain Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram The former world heavyweight champion dropped by Carbisdale Castle in the Highlands. He was shown around the grounds of the 118-year-old country pile and told of the work that had gone into transforming it into a luxury home. But owner Samantha Kane was unable to welcome the Gypsy King as she attending Royal Ascot in Berkshire. She said: "World-famous heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury made an unexpected visit to Carbisdale Castle while I was at Ascot yesterday and was greeted by Sarah and Michael, who showed him around the Castle and what was achieved in bringing Carbisdale to its former glory. 'He was very impressed indeed. Thank you Tyson for your visit.' Earlier this week, Fury was spotted strutting topless around Grantown-on-Spey in Moray wearing a red tartan kilt and matching tie. The 9ft 9ins star got fitted out at a kiltmaker in the small town and chatted with locals. He also enjoyed a drink in the Claymore Bar where he downed Guinness and posed for photos with staff. The ex-boxer has also visited Wick and John O'Groats in the Caithness region. He is visiting with his wife, Paris, children and film crew as he makes the second season of At Home With The Fury's. Boxing icon Tyson Fury spotted posing topless in Scots town as he chats with locals He happily posed for photos with fans, including Cromdale FC manager Stuart Dunbar, who jokingly tried to sign him up. Ms Kane is the only person in Britain to have changed gender three times. Born in Iraq as a man, named Sam Hashimi, she had surgery in 1997 to become Samantha, before a second operation in 2004 when she changed her name to Charles Kane and then a third surgery to become Samantha again in 2018. The barrister and business tycoon spearheaded a Saudi bid to buy Sheffield United Football Club in 2000. She called herself Lady Carbisdale after buying the dilapidated 19-bedroom clifftop castle, near Ardgay, in 2022. Fury retired in January, eight months after suffering the only defeat of his career at the time when he lost to Oleksandr Usyk by split decision. During a rematch last December, the Ukrainian won by unanimous decision. 5 The Gypsy King donned a kilt and matching tartan tie in Grantown-on-Spey Credit: Tyson Fury/Instagram Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
36 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Kerry Katona's boyfriend denies that star 'stole him' from another woman
Kerry Katona's blossoming romance with her match on Celebs Go Dating has been cast into doubt after a woman has come forward alleging she was still involved with him while the show was being filmed Kerry Katona 's new relationship with Celebs Go Dating contestant Paolo Margaglione has been rocked by allegations from a woman who claims he was still romantically involved with her during the filming of the show – which he denies. Jessica Smith, a 25-year-old warehouse manager from Yorkshire, claims she was dating Paolo and was unaware he had joined the E4 dating series where he met the former Atomic Kitten star. 'I do not believe that he has one single feeling for Kerry,' Jessica told MailOnline. 'He only cares about fame, and he'll be happy he's now being put out there.' However, Paolo denied the claims, telling the publication: "I was never in a relationship with Jess. We only met up around five times. I was honest with her that I had been offered to go on a dating show and if it were to come fruition, I would take the opportunity. "I made it clear to Jess that we had to stop talking and seeing each other as I had been offered to go on the show. I have nothing bad to say about Jess she's a great girl." Kerry, 44, recently confirmed her romance with 33-year-old Paolo, a personal trainer, sharing public displays of affection just months after splitting from her ex-fiancé Ryan Mahoney. But Jessica alleges Paolo misled her throughout their relationship, even while appearing on the reality show. According to claims made by Jessica, Paolo told her he was in Ibiza for a stag weekend and later flying his children out to join him. In reality, he was reportedly filming the dating show with Kerry. 'He told me he was there for three weeks,' Jessica explained. 'He tried to convince me to fly out and see him. But it was all lies - he was filming the show with Kerry.' Jessica claims Paolo repeatedly told her his trips to London were business-related, even sending photos for proof. But she later learned he had been filming Celebs Go Dating during those visits. 'He lied to me the entire time we were together. It was horrendous,' she claimed. 'Every single thing was an act. I feel like I was completely led the entire time.' The relationship allegedly began when Paolo messaged Jessica on Instagram. They began seeing each other regularly, with Jessica staying at his home and believing their bond was serious. Jess claims Paolo even said he'd marry her. Jessica cliams she only found out the truth when Paolo finally confessed. 'I asked him, 'Do you expect me to sit at home and watch this and still be with you?' And he replied, 'I hope you will do that, but it's completely down to you.' I hysterically cried all day at work. Everything was a lie.' She also claims Paolo told her directly: 'It's nothing to do with love and it's only for the fame. I promise you, everyone goes on the show for fame, and I'm just doing the same.' Paolo, a father of two, reportedly told Jessica he had separated from his children's mother over a year ago and insisted he was only focused on co-parenting. In response to the allegations, Paolo told the Mail that he was never in a relationship with Jess and only met up around five times. He said he was honest with her and explained he had been offered the chance to appear on the dating show. He added that he made it clear to Jess that the pair had to stop speaking to one another and stop seeing one another. Kerry, who has appeared on Celebs Go Dating before, is returning to the show for a second time. The series also features Olivia Hawkins (Love Island) and Mark Labbett (The Chase). Katona's new relationship comes after the end of her six-year engagement to Ryan Mahoney last November. The mother-of-five has been married three times, including to Westlife's Brian McFadden and the late George Kay, who died in 2019. The Mirror has approached Kerry's representatives for comment on this story.
