Slipknot bassist Paul Gray has posted a message on his Myspace page insisting that drummer Joey Jordison is not dying from illness.

As previously reported, Slipknot cancelled two shows at the weekend after Jordison was hospitalised in Seattle due to “health reasons.”

On Monday the remainder of the August and September dates were then cancelled, prompting fans to fear for the well-being of Jordison.

Clearing things up, Gray said in a statement that Jordison is “fine” and despite having to sort out some “personal issues” within Slipknot they have no plans to split.

Gray also apologised to Slipknot's loyal fans and said that their October tour dates will be honoured.

The full statement reads:

“Dear Maggots, Let me begin by saying, We are VERY SORRY we had to cancel this leg of the tour. As you know touring is our life, Getting in front of you guys and playing keeps this band ALIVE. So it hurts us and much as you that we had to do this. There are PERSONAL issues in the band that NEED to be taken care of for us to continue touring. Let me emphasize JOEY IS NOT DEAD/DYING, **HE IS FINE**. WE have been working hard for the last year and a half on "The All Hope Is Gone" Touring cycle and it catches up to you, as I said I said earlier but I am very sorry we had to cancel to the 2 week run but are desperately trying to make those shows up in our October tour.

“WE ARE NOT CANCELING OUR OCTOBER TOUR, THE BAND IS NOT BREAKING UP, WE ARE ALL ALIVE. I AM SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT, IF YOU DON'T HEAR IT FROM ONE OF US IN THIS BAND THEN IT IS BULLSHIT. WE ARE HUMAN AND SHIT HAPPENS AND THAT'S HOW LIFE GOES BUT WE ARE MAKING THE BEST OF IT RIGHT NOW as should YOU. We will be on the road in October and hopefully we will see you there. For everyone that has sent emails/messages thank you VERY much, They do mean a lot to us. Hang in there we will see you soon.”

(by Scott Colothan)