Terry Hall's bandmate reveals his cancer battle as he recalls Specials' star's final days

Terry Hall was diagnosed with cancer shortly before his death at the age of 63 earlier this week.

The Specials' frontman's bandmate Horace Panter has given a moving account of the late star's final days and revealed how the legendary musician had planned to record a new album with the band last month before being taken ill with a suspected stomach bug.

Sadly Terry was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer which had spread to his liver and, although initial treatment went well, the music icon was 'very frail' earlier this month prior to his death.

Horace recalls how 'everything turned to sh**' on Sunday October 2, when he got a call from their manager letting him know Terry's illness was 'a lot worse' than they initially feared.

The Specials' frontman Terry Halls' death has saddened the music world (Hulton Archive)

The Specials shared the news Terry had passed away via social media on Monday night, writing: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing, following a brief illness, of Terry, our beautiful friend, brother and one of the most brilliant singers, songwriters and lyricists this country has ever produced."

Taking to Facebook on Tuesday, bassist for the ska group Horace shared a moving tribute to his late bandmate as he recalled Terry's final weeks.

"The Specials. Terry. This is what happened," Horace began telling fans online alongside a picture of Terry.

Terry was diagnosed with cancer just weeks before his death on Sunday (Redferns via Getty Images)

"We had it all planned out. Make the album we were going to do in 2020 – a reggae album. Record in Los Angeles in November. We had the studio booked, flights paid for, accommodation sorted."

He goes on to explain how "Terry had the framework for 8 tunes" and "confidence was high" ahead of the group meeting up to record some new music.

But in September "Terry e-mails everyone and says he’s in bed with a stomach bug and can’t do the first week of pre-production sessions."

Terry was a much-loved figure in the music industry with a legion of fans (Getty Images)

Horace recalls thinking: "No big deal, we can knock everything back a week."

The musician continues to note how the next week Terry was no better and was in hospital. He adds how there wasn't much the band could do but wait for their friend to get better.

"Sunday October 2nd and I get a phone call from Manager Steve. And everything turns to sh**," Horace poignantly writes as he continues his recollections.

"He has been diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas which has spread to his liver. This is serious. Like life-threatening serious.

"He has developed diabetes due to his pancreas being attacked. This has to be treated first, then it’s a regime of chemotherapy.

"There is nothing anyone can do. Everything is put on hold."

The singer is survived by his wife and his two sons (Getty Images)

The star adds how Terry was "emphatic that no-one be told about this" and to tell anyone to ask that he is managing his diabetes.

Horace continues with his post, writing: "The chemo treatment starts favourably but it seems that it would be March 2023 at the earliest before we’d be in any position to work. He is in and out of hospital to stabilise the diabetes issue and also to manage pain.

"It then goes quiet."

The bassist remembers how at the start of December reports didn't look good, as he writes: "Terry has lost a lot of weight and is very frail. His friend Ian Broudie visits and phones Manager Steve. He fears that Terry is slipping away."

Terry said goodbye to his bandmate over the phone (Redferns via Getty Images)

"15th December and Manager Steve drives up to London to visit. He calls me on his return journey and says things are not looking promising. Terry is dying."

Horace then writes how the next day Terry was "put on morphine and is more-or-less unconscious for most of the time".

"I thought it would be best for me to go and visit but Lindy, his wife, advises against it," Horace recalls. "She has held her phone to Terry’s ear so that his sisters and Lynval can say their goodbyes. She suggests I do the same. So, I did. It was tough.

"Terry died around half past 5 the next evening, Sunday 18th December.

"The world has lost a unique voice and I have lost a good friend."

Terry produced some of the country's most beloved songs and was an icon to a generation (Redferns)

Tributes have been pouring in for the late star since his death was announced on Monday (Getty Images)

The Specials were formed in Terry’s home city of Coventry in 1977, by Jerry Dammers, Lynval Golding and Horace – with Hall, Neville Staple, Roddy Byers and John Bradbury joining a year later.

The band were originally called The Automatics, before changing their name to The Coventry Automatics, The Specials AKA The Automatics and finally, in 1978, settling on The Specials.

During their time together, the band produced a string of hit records including A Message To You, Rudy, Rat Race and Ghost Town, which reached number one.

The Specials split in 1981, after which Hall, Golding and Staple went on to form Fun Boy Three, while Dammers and Bradbury released an album under the moniker The Special AKA, which spawned the hit single Free Nelson Mandela in 1984.

Fun Boy Three achieved four UK top 10 singles during their time together, until Hall left the band in 1983 to form The Colourfield with ex-Swinging Cats members Toby Lyons and Karl Shale.

Terry shared two sons, Theo and Felix, with Jeanette Hall.