Moonshiners premiered its 13th season on Tuesday night on Discovery Channel and fans got some distressing news. Digger Manes, who has become a beloved mainstay on the show, has a blood disorder that turned out to be a leukemia diagnosis. After he watched the premiere himself, he wanted to update fans on his condition. You can click here to read what Digger shared on tonight’s episode.

Here is what Digger had to say after the Moonshiners Season 13 premiere.

Moonshiners returns with bad news about Digger Manes

When Moonshiners Season 13 premiered on Tuesday night, most fans expected to see more of the wild mountain men and their moonshine distilleries that made the show so popular. However, what many fans didn’t expect was that one of the show’s beloved stars would reveal a terrible disease. Digger Manes has a blood disorder. Even worse, the testing revealed he has Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

The main selling point this season is Steven Ray Tickle and his plans to fight for the legalization of home distilling. The previous 12 seasons have been all about the world of making illegal moonshine and the personalities of the men who set out and do this in the backwoods. However, one new story has little to do with making moonshine and is all about the personal lives of several cast members.

On top of Tickle wanting to legalize moonshine brewing, Mark Ramsey and Digger Manes want to start a plan to sell light beer. Josh Owens, who was injured by racing injuries, also wants to return to making moonshine. However, everything was turned on its head in the final minutes of the Moonshiners premiere when Digger revealed his rare blood disorder.

Digger and Mark plan to now expand their empire across Tennessee, even while it is still against the law.

Moonshiners star Digger Manes on his blood disorder

When the Moonshiners Season 13 premiere ended, Diggle took to Facebook on the account he shares with Mark. He wanted to let fans know what was going on in his life. Digger also admitted that none of the cast has any final cut in what the show puts in its episodes. He said they don’t usually see the episodes until the rest of the world does. That made the editing of this episode a surprise for him as well.

“The production company did film Mark and myself when I gave him the news after I first received my diagnosis of Leukemia,” Digger said. “After more extensive tests my definite diagnosis is Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia a condition that is not terminal.”

Digger went on to say that the good news is that this leukemia won’t kill him. However, he did joke it will make him miserable until something else kills him. He then thanked fans for their prayers and asked people to keep watching Moonshiners and to “shine on.”

Moonshiners airs on The Discovery Channel on Tuesday nights at 8/7c, with the premiere airing on January 2, 2024.

Do you have any special memories of Digger Manes on Moonshiners? Let us know your favorite moments and please send your best wishes to Digger in the comments below.