The Charlatans have revealed that drummer Jon Brookes is in 'good spirits' despite his recent health problems.

Taken ill onstage in Philadelphia, Jon Brookes was forced to leave The Charlatans to battle ill health. Diagnosed with a brain tumour, the drummer immediately underwent serious treatment for the illness.

Former Verve drummer Pete Salisbury was drafted in for their British tour, with Jon Brookes able to play during the encore on the final night. Writing a blog to fans, the drummer thanked the Birmingham crowd for their support.

Speaking to Newsbeat, The Charlatans frontman Tim Burgess explained that the drummer had remained in "good spirits" despite his obvious discomfort.

The singer added that extensive treatment was "taking it out of him" but Brookes is staying positive. The frontman described the night in Philadelphia when the drummer suddenly lapsed into a seizure.

"It was a weird sequence of events. At first he made quite a lot of mistakes on stage, which he doesn't normally do" he said. "Then he played completely the wrong song and then halfway through 'Telling Stories' he just stopped playing and was looking off into space."

"I didn't realise how severe it was, what was happening, that he was having a seizure" he continued. "I thought he was just tired from the night before."

Jon Brookes is still undergoing treatment, but seems to be responding well.

Completing the tour with The Charlatans, Tim Burgess can now concentrate on his forthcoming solo album. The frontman has been working with a number of guest collaborators, including members of The Horrors and New Zealand electro-pop singer Ladyhawke.

In a previous interview with the NME Tim Burgess talked up the track with Ladyhawke, claiming that it had the potential to be a number one.