The Doncaster born icon has made his first public appearance since being diagnosed with the disease in January.
Doncaster born football icon Kevin Keegan has made his first public appearance after being diagnosed with cancer - and jokingly responded “still alive” when he was asked how he is.
The Livepool, England and Newcastle United hero, 75, announced he was fighting cancer in January this year.
Just months later, a malicious hoax circulated on social media falsely alleging he had only days remaining.
The cruel rumour featured a fake quote, supposedly from the Armthorpe-born hero claiming he was hoping "to be at peace with my loved ones in these final days".
But in a social media video recorded to promote an event at the Tyne Theatre, the ex-England responded “still alive” when asked by Sky Sports presenter Pete Graves about his health.
Former Manchester City manager Keegan featured alongside Graves in the promotional footage, appearing well-presented and fit in a light grey suit combined with a navy blue shirt.
He even made a playful reference to the hoax, replying: "Still alive, thank you," when Graves enquired how he was doing.
He also added: "Really looking forward to going to Newcastle, obviously. 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 said: “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 and relive wonderful memories, which he enjoys doing so much.”
Born on Valentine’s Day 1951 at 32 Elm Place, Armthorpe to English parents of part Irish ancestry, he attended his local school, St. Peter’s High School in nearby Cantley.
At the age of 16, Keegan was spotted playing at amateur level for Pegler, his employer at the time, and signed by fourth division Scunthorpe United – one of just two professional sides in the division.
Reputedly rejected by his home town club of Doncaster Rovers for being too small, Keegan became a first team regular and scored 18 goals in 124 games, attracting the attention of the Merseyside giants Liverpool with legendary boss Bill Shankly snapping him up for £35,000 in 1971.
The move proved to be the beginning of the soccer star’s rise to fame - and becoming a global icon of the game.
During a glittering spell with the Reds, he won three First Division titles, the UEFA Cup twice, the FA Cup and the European Cup and also became an England regular, making his debut in 1972, becoming captain in 1976 and scoring 21 goals for his country in 63 games - although his World Cup career was limited to just 26 minutes at the 1982 finals in Spain.
Further successful spells followed at Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle before he made the step into management.
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