James Ellis Ford of Simian Mobile Disco Diagnosed with Leukemia

“While it’s very clear in my mind how serious this is, it is curable,” said James Ellis Ford, one half of the electronic music duo Simian Mobile Disco.

It’s normal to feel run down in the winter months, but Simian Mobile Disco founder James Ellis Ford has recently suffered from no ordinary ailment. The electronic music producer has shared that he is now battling acute leukemia.

“I was feeling pretty rough in the run up to Christmas suspecting burnout but on Xmas eve things took a turn for the worse,” Ford wrote in an Instagram post. ”I had a scary few weeks where I was very ill and they didn’t know what was wrong with me, but finally I got a diagnosis.”

“I have AML (Acute Leukemia),” Ford continued. “It’s a huge shock and while it’s very clear in my mind how serious this is, it is curable, and as of today I’m starting pretty aggressive chemo to treat it.”

Ford went on to say that he was initially treated at Canterbury Hospital before being moved to Bart’s Hospital in London, which is where he made the post. He noted that the latter “are world leaders in leukemia treatments,” and that he hopes to finish the first round of treatment, which currently consists of “pretty aggressive chemo,” in six to eight months.

As can be expected, Ford will have to pause musical pursuits. “Whilst this is a massive shame, I know they will go on to deliver great records with whoever takes the reins, and I wish them all the best,” he wrote.

Acute leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells in particular. According to the National Cancer Institute, 60-70% of adults who undergo treatment for the condition achieve complete remission.

Born in Staffordshire, James Ellis Ford was one of the founding members of Simian, a four-part electronic rock band. In 2023, he and James Anthony Shaw formed a spinoff project called Simian Mobile Disco. Ford has also earned producer credits on recordings for the likes of Depeche Mode, Arctic Monkeys, and Pet Shop Boys.

Ford closed his statement on a grateful note. “I want to express the deepest possible gratitude to my family, friends and colleagues who have been so supportive at this difficult time, particularly my wife Sereen and all the NHS staff who’ve looked me so brilliantly,” he wrote.