Wirral singer told she may ‘never sing again’ after cancer diagnosis

Laura Griffiths, a 25-year-old pop artist who goes by the name Alaur, released her first single ‘A-Grade Heartbreaker’ on May 31.

However, the singer-songwriter from Moreton was told by her surgeon that she may “never sing again” after a devastating diagnosis.

She told the Globe: “In April 2020 when I was 21 I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.

“It was very close to my vocal chords so my surgeon Mr Srinivasan told me there was a chance that I might never be able to sing again.

Laura Griffiths was told she might never sing again after her cancer diagnosis (Image: Laura Griffiths)

“At the time I thought I would literally rather lose a limb then not be able to sing.

“Singing is how I express myself. It means so much to me.”

After undergoing surgery three times due to complications Laura was left unable to sing for nine months.

She said: “I wasn’t able to sing because of all the bruising and trauma around my vocal chords.

“It was hard because when I’m sad I’ll play piano, sing, and write songs but I couldn’t do any of that so it was really frustrating.

Laura Griffiths, 25, from Moreton (Image: Laura Griffiths)

“But around the nine-month mark, I trained myself back up and I was able to start singing again.

“You don’t realise how short life is until your health is put at risk its changed my perspective on everything now.”

Now, two years in the clear, Laura is celebrating her debut release.

She said: “The response so far has been really good. I’ve had a few radio interviews including one at Clatterbridge which feels like quite a full circle moment from receiving treatment there.

Laura Griffiths (Image: Laura Griffiths)

“I’ve been a singer my whole life as soon as I could talk I was singing pretty much.

“I always find it funny how some people say they don’t know what they want to do in life because I’ve known since around the age of six that I wanted to be a singer.

“I’m not a famous popstar but I’m living my dream because I make a wage gigging every weekend.”

Laura, who says she is inspired by 00’s legends, girl bands, and modern-day divas, has performed multiple live shows including BBC performances and festivals across the UK and Ireland.

She said: “I gig all over but my biggest crowd was in Ireland at Ebrington festival in Derry in 2022 where I performed to 13,000 people so that was amazing.

“I’ve also done BBC Breakfast where 1.2 million people tuned in to listen which was crazy.”

While writing her latest hit, Laura worked with producer Simon Cripps who has worked with the likes of Little Mix, Ellie Goulding and Ed Sheeran.

She said: “I actually wrote A-Grade Heartbreaker at the end of 2022 and I was looking for ages for a producer but it just wasn’t really clicking for me. I’ve got so many demos of that song but it just wasn’t the right vibe.

“Then I found Simon and it was just the exact sound that I wanted it to be. I can’t wait to work with him more.”

Despite the song title alluding to personal experiences of dealing with heartbreak, Laura says the inspiration behind the song was “completely made up”.

She said: “I’d love to say it was about an ex or someone who broke my heart but it’s actually completely made up.

“When me and my song writing partner Adelaide Adams went into the studio we said to each other shall we just try and write a song in 15 minutes? and this was the outcome.

“I feel like the best songs you don’t overthink them and they just come naturally.”

You can listen to Laura Griffiths new single ‘A-Grade Heartbreaker’ here.