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Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Legendary Scots DJ shares devastating 'untreatable' brain tumour diagnosis
Keith McIvor, aka acclaimed DJ and producer JD Twitch, is one half of the duo behind the legendary Optimo (Espacio). A top Scots DJ behind one of Glasgow's most famous club nights has revealed he is battling an 'untreatable' brain tumour. Keith McIvor, aka acclaimed DJ and producer JD Twitch, is one half of the legendary Optimo (Espacio). Keith - who usually plays alongside Jonnie Wilkes - had missed gigs over the last several weeks, including the duo's set at Glastonbury, having been admitted to hospital. On Thursday, he shared details of his diagnosis, saying he will be prioritising spending time with his family. In an emotional post to fans on social media, Keith said: "Over the past few weeks I have received lots of enquiries about my health having missed several gigs since being admitted to the hospital. Following extensive tests I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable. "As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love. I know this may be difficult news to receive through social media, and I'm sorry if it feels sudden or impersonal." Keith said his symptoms"weren't immediately diagnosed" and his health has declined quickly over just a few weeks. He added that the post on Instagram felt like the "clearest and kindest way" to let people know what was happening. "I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me," said Keith. "I would really love to hear from you, but it is too difficult for me to reply and process your communications directly. Please respect my privacy and space, and only contact me via the message board we have set up." McIvor launched Optimo (Espacio) with DJ Jonnie, aka JG Wilkes, as a weekly Sunday-night event in Glasgow's Sub Club in 1997. It went on to build a reputation for its expansive music and became one of Scotland's most popular club nights, before coming to an end in 2010. The duo continued to DJ, playing festivals and gigs around the world, but McIvor's condition meant that he was unable to play at Optimo's recent shows, including their own festival, Watching Trees. Thanking everyone who supported him throughout his journey in music, from the early days of Pure in Edinburgh in the 90s and over the past 28 years of Optimo (Espacio), he confirmed that Jonnie will continue to take Optimo (Espacio) forward. He said: "Jonnie and I have been lucky enough to play our music at countless clubs and festivals throughout the world and it has been one of the greatest honours of my life to make a career out of something I love. We have connected with so many beautiful souls through our shared passion for music. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "I want to say also that Watching Trees festival holds a very special place in my heart. It's a project I've loved being part of and curating, and I know the incredible WT crew will continue to help it grow into an even more magical and meaningful experience. I trust Jonnie implicitly to continue Optimo (Espacio). I know he will carry it forward with the same spirit and passion we always shared showing you, as ever, just how much 'we love your ears'." Coming together after first meeting on a bus from Glasgow to Edinburgh some time in the mid 1990s, Keith and Jonnie went on to found arguably the city's most iconic club night - the pair have since travelled all over the globe, headlining countless clubs, festivals and events. In a statement about his long-term friend and collaborator, Jonnie stated he that it was "painful to put into words" how he felt, and said: "Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28 year partnership. We are connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand. I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is. I love you Keith. You inspired me like nobody else could and I'm so proud of what we've done together. "I will continue Optimo (Espacio) with you always in my heart. The music will speak for both of us. Your anarchic spirit and your ferocious energy is all around me."
STV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- STV News
Optimo DJ diagnosed with untreatable brain tumour
JD Twitch, one half of legendary dance duo Optimo, has been diagnosed with an untreatable brain tumour. Keith McIvor had missed gigs over the last several weeks, having been admitted to hospital. On Thursday, he shared details of his diagnosis, saying he will be prioritising spending time with his family. 'Over the past few weeks I have received lots of enquiries about my health having missed several gigs since being admitted to the hospital', he wrote in an Instagram post. 'Following extensive tests I've been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I have been told my condition is untreatable. As you can imagine, I am currently trying to process this news and prioritising spending precious time with the people I love. 'I know this may be difficult news to receive through social media, and I'm sorry if it feels sudden or impersonal.' McIvor said his symptoms weren't immediately diagnosed and his health declined 'very quickly' over the course of just a few weeks. 'Because of how rapidly everything progressed, I haven't been able to share this news personally with everyone I care about, so this feels like the clearest and kindest way to let you know what's happening,' he wrote. 'I truly appreciate everyone's love and concern, it means the world to me.' McIvor said he would 'love to hear from you', but it is too difficult for him to reply directly. He asked people to respect his privacy and to only make contact through a message board that has been set up. 'This will allow me to receive your messages in a way that feels more manageable, with the help of my loved ones, who are supporting me through this difficult time,' he said. McIvor launched Optimo (Espacio) with JG Wilkes as a weekly Sunday-night event in Glasgow's Sub Club in 1997. It went on to build a reputation for its expansive music and became one of Scotland's most popular club nights, before coming to an end in 2010. The duo continued to DJ, playing festivals and gigs around the world, but McIvor's condition meant that he was unable to play at Optimo's recent shows, including their own festival, Watching Trees. 'I want to say also that Watching Trees festival holds a very special place in my heart,' he wrote. 'It's a project I've loved being part of and curating, and I know the incredible crew will continue to help it grow into an even more magical and meaningful experience.' JG Wilkes, who runs Optimo with McIvor, also shared a statement in the post. 'It's too painful to put into words what I really feel,' he wrote. 'I don't know if I even have the words. Keith and I have been through so much together in our 28-year partnership. 'We're connected in a way that perhaps only he and I can understand. I do know however, that if you ever heard us play together then you will have realised how deep that connection is.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
