How old is Avril Lavigne and when was she diagnosed with Lyme disease?
AVRIL Lavigne is about to drop her huge comeback album Head Above Water after years spent battling Lyme disease. The iconic noughties star opened up about her experience with the life-threatening disease that kept her out of the limelight for several years. Avril Lavigne, born September 27, 1984, is a Canadian singer, songwriter and actress. She was a skate punk icon at her height and her debut studio album Let Go is the best-selling album of the 21st century by a Canadian artist. The record contained hit singles Complicated and Sk8er Boi. Her success was followed with Under My Skin, The Best Damn Thing, Goodbye Lullaby and Avril Lavigne in 2013. Lavigne, 36, has also tried her hand at acting, having voiced Heather in the animated film Over the Hedge. After releasing her album Avril Lavigne in 2013, the singer took a step back from making music until she released her latest album Head Above Water in 2018. On her return to public life on September 7, 2018, Avril Lavigne revealed in a heartbreaking open letter to her fans that she has been battling Lyme disease for the past few years. The pop-rock star left the spotlight after being diagnosed with the life-threatening illness in 2015. The shocking news put to rest the cruel rumours that Avril had died in 2003 and was replaced by her best friend Melissa Vandella. The bizarre rumour recirculated last year as theorists analysed the shape of Avrils nose, her autograph and her voice  which they claim has had a different tone since 2003. Lavigne contracted Lyme disease from a tick bite in spring 2014 and was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015. In 2018, Avril revealed she'd "accepted death" at her worst point battling the disease, suggesting the process was far longer and more difficult than fans might have realised. She wrote: "Five years have gone by since I released my last album. I spent the last few years at home sick fighting Lyme disease. most read in TV & Showbiz OOPS! Love Island star Faye accidentally reveals X-rated sex confession in first interview lip trip Katie Price reveals she's had FULL-BODY lipo with pic of wrapped legs post-surgery ASSAULT PROBE Chris Brown slapped woman so hard weave flew off as he faces battery probe jack's back Jack Tweed parties with Jade Goody's son Bobby after ban on seeing him lifted GOOD EVANS! Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans show off their incredible bodies on the beach HORN TO BE WILD Roxy Horner poses topless after celebrating birthday with Jack Whitehall  "Those were the worst years of my life as I went through both physical and emotional battles." Avril added: "I had accepted death and could feel my body shutting down. I felt like I was drowning. "Like I was going underwater and I just needed to come up for air. Like I was in a river being pulled in a current. Unable to breathe."