The band addressed the rumors about Malcolm's health in a posting on their Facebook page on Wednesday. They wrote, "After forty years of life dedicated to AC/DC, guitarist and founding member Malcolm Young is taking a break from the band due to ill health.

"Malcolm would like to thank the group's diehard legions of fans worldwide for their never-ending love and support. In light of this news, AC/DC asks that Malcolm and his family's privacy be respected during this time. The band will continue to make music."

Earlier in the day, Daily Telegraph published an article after they spoke to frontman Brian Johnson. "We are definitely getting together in May in Vancouver," he told the paper. "We're going to pick up some guitars, have a plonk, and see if anybody has got any tunes or ideas. If anything happens, we'll record it."

He was also asked about the rumors about Malcolm's health and the future of the group. He responded, "I wouldn't like to say anything either way about the future. I'm not ruling anything out.

"One of the boys has a debilitating illness, but I don't want to say too much about it. He is very proud and private, a wonderful chap. We've been pals for 35 years and I look up to him very much."

Johnson was also asked about the band's plan to launch a 40th anniversary tour where they would play 40 concerts at 40 different venues. "That would be a wonderful way to say bye bye," said Johnson. "We would love to do it. But it's all up in the air at the moment.

"AC/DC is such a tight family. We've stuck to our guns through the Eighties and Nineties when people were saying we should change our clothes and our style. But we didn't and people got it that we are the real deal."