SINGAPORE - Local rapper and businessman Sheikh Haikel has been diagnosed with stage four colon cancer and has undergone surgery, his wife Anna Belle Francis told Malay-language newspaper Berita Harian (BH).

In a phone interview with BH on Sept 4, Anna Belle, 48, disclosed that the tumour Sheikh is suffering from is aggressive and he is currently undergoing treatment to fight the cancer.

Sheikh, 50, also shared the news of his cancer diagnosis on Instagram on Sept 4.

“With the heaviest of hearts, I would like to say and tell everyone who is watching this that I have fourth-stage cancer,” he said while holding back his tears.

The veteran entertainer said he is disclosing his condition now as he had told friends that he is fine despite them noticing that he has lost weight.

Anna Belle, a former actress and host-turned-entrepreneur, also assured them that he is fine when questioned at that time.

“I would also like to take this chance to apologise on behalf of my wife Anna Belle Francis, who only followed what I asked her to do,” he said. “I haven’t been feeling good recently, and I don’t want something to happen and me not telling everybody.”

The celebrity added: “I would like everybody to know that I am going to give it my best shot...the fact that I’ve shared this with everybody has made me feel better.”