Kevin Keegan makes first public appearance since cancer diagnosis, jokes he is 'still alive'

Kevin Keegan has made his first public appearance since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, joking that he is “still alive” and looking sharp in a promotional video filmed ahead of a career retrospective event at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre.

Newcastle United issued a statement at the start of 2025 confirming the 75-year-old’s diagnosis. The news was followed weeks later by a cruel social media hoax that falsely claimed Keegan had only days to live, complete with a fabricated quote purportedly from the former Magpies manager saying he hoped “to be at peace with my loved ones in these final days”.

The promotional clip, filmed alongside Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves, showed Keegan dressed in a light-grey suit and navy blue shirt. When Graves asked how he was getting on, Keegan responded with a wry “Still alive thank you” — a direct nod to the hoax that had circulated online.

Keegan also expressed his enthusiasm for returning to the city he considers home. “Really looking forward to going to Newcastle, obviously,” he said. “It’s not my second home, it’s my first home, really, as you know. When I’m going there, I’m always happy.”

Graves, who was also the first to publicly debunk the hoax when it spread, had announced the Tyne Theatre event five weeks in advance. At the time, he offered a candid update on Keegan’s condition: “Kev has been going through a really tough time. He’s been very poorly but the great news is he has responded well to his treatment and he is feeling a lot better. He is not out of the woods yet, but he is feeling strong enough to come out and see people, see his fans and tell his stories.”

When the false Facebook post began circulating, Graves moved quickly to correct the record, writing: “I can confirm that this statement is fake and not true. Kevin’s treatment is underway and he is responding well. I’d like to remind everyone the family have requested privacy at this time. Kevin has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of well wishes and kindness from fans around the world.”

Keegan remains one of the most beloved figures in English football, having starred for Liverpool and Hamburg before becoming a totemic figure at Newcastle both as a player and manager. The Tyne Theatre event will see him look back on his career and life in conversation with Graves.