​Speaking in December, Mr Hill opened up about his longstanding and enduring friendship with Mr Holder. “Nod loved John Lennon, and he loved Little Richard, and that’s where he got his ability to sing those amazing high notes that he sang,” he said. Noddy Holder with Slade. (Image: PA) “I mean, nobody could sing like him with the Slade music. You know nobody can do it. “But we’re great friends, and we’re keeping in touch with each other, seeing each other a lot. “We enjoy talking about the past, and also we encourage each other because we all have health issues, as indeed he did at one point. “Someone saved his life, which I’m very pleased about, you know, because he’s a national treasure to me and to the country. “We’ve had such a good relationship and may it long last. Dave Hill and the current Slade line-up. (Image: Slade) “Nod, Jim and Don helped me have this career in music because the things they brought to the table made it happen.” Back in 2018, Mr Holder was diagnosed with oesophageal cancer and was expected to live for just another six months. The rock legend underwent experimental chemotherapy treatment at Manchester’s Christie Hospital and “responded well”. The 79-year-old told The Big Issue later that he had kept the news private as he did not want people to think of him as “a cancer victim”.