Andy Bell has announced on Erasure's official website that he is HIV-positive.
Bell says that his condition first became known to him in 1998 when he suffered from a bout of pneumonia. He has been undergoing drug-combination therapy with excellent results. His long-term partner Paul Hickey shares the condition.
The revelation has come about because of Bell's plans to reach out into the community and educate people about the realities of HIV/AIDs.
In his statement he said: "Being HIV-positive does not mean that you have AIDs. My life expectancy should be the same as anyone else's, so there is no need to panic.
"There is still so much hysteria and ignorance surrounding HIV and AIDs. Let's just get on with life."
Bell is indeed getting on with life, preparing to tour with bandmate Vince Clarke promoting material from new album Nightbird.
Bell says that his condition first became known to him in 1998 when he suffered from a bout of pneumonia. He has been undergoing drug-combination therapy with excellent results. His long-term partner Paul Hickey shares the condition.
The revelation has come about because of Bell's plans to reach out into the community and educate people about the realities of HIV/AIDs.
In his statement he said: "Being HIV-positive does not mean that you have AIDs. My life expectancy should be the same as anyone else's, so there is no need to panic.
"There is still so much hysteria and ignorance surrounding HIV and AIDs. Let's just get on with life."
Bell is indeed getting on with life, preparing to tour with bandmate Vince Clarke promoting material from new album Nightbird.
