Def Leppard guitarist Vivian Campbell says post-transplant cancer has returned

In an interview with YSKL, Def Leppard’s longtime guitarist Vivian Campbell announced that the donor transplant he received in January 2025 was unsuccessful, causing his Hodgkin’s lymphoma to reappear. First diagnosed in 2013 and recurring in 2015, the cancer has now returned despite continued therapy. Campbell described a period of intense fear in the winter of 2023 that prompted him to pursue the transplant as his only chance of survival.

Although the procedure did not “stick,” he remains determined to stay active on stage and plans another transplant with a different donor within a few years. He urged other cancer patients to keep moving forward and prioritize their health. Def Leppard continues to tour, with upcoming dates in Hollywood, Florida, and a month-long Latin American leg.