Busted’s James Bourne appears to be getting back to work after his abrupt exit from the band’s last tour over health issues.
Last September, James pulled out of Busted’s VS Tour with McFly just 24 hours before the first gig last year and has rarely been heard from since.
The 42-year-old revealed in April that he had undergone surgery, hoping the procedure would ‘extend his life’ but gave no further details.
Promising more information at a later time, James did announce a 13-year-in-the-making megaproject which turned out to be a new musical by Tony Award-winning US playwright Steven Sater.
It appears the musical concept album is turning into a full stage show, with James visible in rehearsals on the Murder at the Gates TikTok.
In a new video, he plays the keyboard while Isa Briones sings the track No One Sits on High.
yes, she really sounds like that live. watch this behind the scenes footage of isa briones singing through ‘no one sits on high’ for the first time with @James Bourne. @Steven Sater #murderatthegates #newmusical #jamesbourne #isabriones #theatre
While his back was to the camera, fans were delighted to see he was playing music again after such a long time away.
‘Yes, she really sounds like that live,’ the caption read. ‘Watch this behind the scenes footage of Isa Briones singing through ‘No One Sits on High’ for the first time with @James Bourne.’
One fan, Nuki, commented: ‘James 😭 I’m missing you so much thank you for this little appearance 🩷 wishing you a fast recovery, dude!’
‘oh hiiii Jamessss 👋🏻,’ Carol Montemor added as JaxPJames wrote: ‘James!! So good to see him doing well!’
In an earlier video of Isa singing, posted on August 14, James could be seen in the background, sitting down with headphones on.
‘James in the bg I hope he’s doing well and is taking a well-earned break and taking it steady 🙏,’ commented Ella at the time.
The musician, who rose to fame with Busted in the early 2000s, pulled out of the tour with just 24 hours to go. In a touching move, his brother Chris stepped in to replace him and toured with Busted’s other two members, Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson.
James’s bandmates frequently mentioned him during the tour, with Matt telling fans through tears he was ‘really sick’.
