Guitarist Wilko Johnson has claimed he has been ‘cured’ of his terminal cancer.

Speaking at the Q Magazine Awards today the former Dr Feelgood guitarist, who was diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer in 2012, claims that surgery has been successful.

He had to cancel a string of festival appearances, including a slot at Glastonbury, to carry out the 11-hour surgery in April.

Speaking as he was given the Q Icon award at a plush London bash, he said: "It was an 11-hour operation.

"This tumour weighed 3kg - that's the size of a baby. Anyway, they got it all. They cured me."

The 67-year-old rocker, who lives in Westcliff, had his pancreas, spleen, and part of his stomach removed as part of the surgery.

He had taken to the stage despite his illness, but had to cancel some live dates and festival slots after the April surgery.

In accepting his award, he paid tribute to a specialist at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, in Cambridge, where he was treated.

He said: "He runs all the tests again and he says they think that they can do it and they did it, man... they took this tumour out of me."

Leicester band Kasabian, who were named Best Act in the World at the awards, dedicated their gong to Wilko.

Frontman Tom Meighan said: "This is for Wilko, God bless him."

Mr Johnson initially announced a series of farewell concerts last year, but decided to keep on gigging in 2014 after he health held up at the turn of the year.

The guitarist expressed amazement that he had been "carrying that thing" – his tumour - "on stage with me every night".

He was part of pub-rock act Dr Feelgood during their 1970s heyday.

He released a ‘farewell album’, with The Who frontman Roger Daltrey in March, titled ‘Going Back Home’, which reached Number 3 in the UK Albums Chart – his highest position since the 70s.