STONES MARIANNE FAITHFULL BEAT CANCER

MARIANNE FAITHFULL AND MICK JAGGER

Marianne Faithfull has beaten breast cancer.The 59-year-old star, who shot to fame as the girlfriend of Rolling Stones frontman Sir Mick Jagger in the 60s, was diagnosed with the potentially fatal illness in September. Luckily for Faithfull doctors diagnosed the cancer early on, giving her the best possible chance of making a full recovery, and after undergoing surgery last month the one-time wild child has been given a clean bill of health. She said: "It has been an extraordinary experience and, in many ways, extremely positive. I didn't realise how many true friends I had."Faithfull now plans to embark on a series of rearranged tour dates which she was forced to cancel after being told she had cancer. The new tour, which covers the US and parts of Europe, is due to start next March. Faithfull, who was discovered by the Rolling Stones' manager Andrew Loog Oldham, began her career in 1964 and dated Jagger throughout most of the 60s. Her first hit record 'As Tears Go By' was co-written by Jagger and Stones guitarist Keith Richards. She has been married three times, and has a grown-up son, Nicholas, who she had when she was 18, and two grandchildren.