U2 guitarist The Edge has revealed that Bono could have suffered “serious and permanent damage” to his back had he not undergone recent surgery.

The singer underwent an operation last Friday after feeling pain training for the band’s upcoming world tour.

He has now been advised to rest for two months, which has forced the band to cancel their planned Glastonbury slot and postpone a US tour.

In a video message on U2.com, The Edge said he was “relived” that Bono had consulted specialists about the problem.

“He was in a fairly intense program to be ready for the tour, so something in that preparation.” the guitarist said.

“Maybe he just overdid it and hurt himself maybe without realising it and it could have got worse. But luckily enough he did realise.”

On Tuesday (May 25), Bono’s neurosurgeon Joerg Tonn said the “sudden onset disease” caused temporary partial paralysis in the singer’s legs.

He added that Bono’s prognosis was “excellent”, but that he would now need to undergo steady rehabilitation.

U2 have been replaced as headliners at Glastonbury by Gorillaz.

(by Jason Gregory)