According to Daily Mail - Home, Andrew Lloyd Webber described himself as a recovering alcoholic. He said his downward spiral began about a year and a half ago, though the exact timeframe remains unclear. Initial treatment at a rehab facility, which has not been named, proved ineffective, but he later attended an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting in Switzerland, with the location unspecified, and followed up with more meetings in the UK.
During his struggles, according to Daily Mail - Home, Andrew Lloyd Webber described his family as being in a desperate state, with his wife feeling she could not go on. Julian Lloyd Webber kept his prostate cancer diagnosis secret until after his birthday concert, stating in an official statement that he did not want to let anyone down, so he kept his diagnosis secret until after his birthday concert, but now he needs to begin treatment as soon as possible. He returned to the concert platform after a 12-year absence due to injury, with his current treatment status or prognosis not disclosed.
I am a recovering alcoholic.
His injury was a herniated disc caused by the repeated bowing action of his right arm, which led him to sell his Stradivarius due to its severity. Julian Lloyd Webber confirmed last year he was learning to play again. According to Daily Mail - Home, Julian Lloyd Webber described beginning to play scales a few weeks ago and building up to an hour of practice, though the specific piece he attempted when he realized it was not going to work is unknown.
In an official statement, he added that he is encouraged by the expectations of the medical team and looks forward to making a full recovery, and he is not intending to cancel engagements and will not comment any further on this matter until after the treatment. He was made an OBE in 2021 for services to music, which includes his work with organizations like the Music in Secondary Schools Trust.
You think it's secret, but it's not - everybody knows.
My wife was feeling she couldn't go on.
I began just playing scales a few weeks ago. I tried a whole piece, but quickly realised it was not going to work. I had to build up to it. So I did 15 minutes, then half an hour. Then I managed an hour. Now I can't wait for the concert. I just hope I can do it.