Heavy metal singer Ronnie James Dio has been diagnosed with stomach cancer, his wife has said.

Writing on his official website, his wife, Wendy Dio said, that the former Rainbow and Black Sabbath lead-singer was in the early stages of the illness.

Dio was checked after having to cancel his tour due to excessive discomfort, and was diagnosed with stomach cancer.

"Ronnie will be back doing what he loves best, performing for his fans, after he kills this dragon. We are starting treatment immediately." his wife has stated.

The troubling thing about this is, that only one in three patients of this type of cancer survive the first year after being diagnosed.

I wish him all the best and a speedy recovery.

Full lenght news stories on this at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8380305.stm
and
http://ekstrabladet.dk/musik/intlmusiknyt/article1260897.ece
And his official homepage
http://www.ronniejamesdio.com/