Kevin Keegan has made his first public appearance for months after his cancer diagnosis, appearing in a promotional clip in a light-grey suit and navy blue shirt and telling viewers he is “still alive.” The 75-year-old was promoting an appearance at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle, where he is due to speak tonight with Pete Graves.
The brief return matters because it comes after Newcastle United confirmed earlier this year that Keegan was being treated for cancer, and after a false social media hoax spread claims that he had only days left to live. In the video, Keegan brushed that aside with a joke and said he was “really looking forward to going to Newcastle,” adding that it was not his second home but his first home.
Graves set out the event five weeks ago and said Keegan had been “going through a really tough time,” but had responded well to treatment. He said Keegan was still not out of the woods, though he felt strong enough to come out, see fans and tell stories. That message cut directly against the fabricated post circulating on Facebook, which Graves called fake and not true.
Keegan’s appearance is the clearest sign yet that he is well enough to return to public view, even if the family has asked for privacy while treatment continues. He has remained hugely popular in Newcastle and beyond, and tonight’s event offers supporters their first chance in months to see him back in the city he still describes as home.
