George Michael has pneumonia and cancels UK tour

6:02pm UK, Friday November 25, 2011

George Michael has postponed all of his scheduled UK shows this month and next after being taken ill with pneumonia.

The singer, who is being treated in hospital in Vienna, is said to be responding to treatment and "slowly improving".

But he has been told by doctors to take "complete rest" and the remainder of his scheduled dates have been put on hold.

From the current point of view, the time until recovery cannot be estimated, but he will not be able to perform the rest of the tour.



Michael, who has been diagnosed with "community acquired pneumonia", was due to continue with the UK leg of his Symphonica tour until the week before Christmas.

His publicist said: "He is receiving excellent medical care; he is responding to treatment and slowly improving."

Doctors say they cannot estimate how long he will need to recover.

It is not the first medical setback during the tour, Michael's first for three years after he previously announced he was going to quit live shows.

Just a month ago he was forced to pull out of an appearance at the Royal Albert Hall due to a viral infection and high temperature.

George Michael

Michael arrives at court to be sentenced for drug driving

Last year Michael, 48, spent a month in prison for drug driving.

The specialists treating him in Vienna said in a statement: "George Michael has severe community acquired pneumonia and is being treated as an inpatient.

"His condition has stabilised and he is responding to treatment.

"From the current point of view, the time until recovery cannot be estimated, but he will not be able to perform the rest of the tour.

"Besides medical treatment, complete rest and peace and quiet are mandatory."

Promoters are working to rearrange the postponed dates "at the earliest opportunity".

The tour began in Prague in August and has so far seen him Michael play 45 shows in 35 cities.

Below is a list of all the affected tour dates:

November
Saturday 26th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena POSTPONED
Sunday 27th Cardiff Motorpoint Arena POSTPONED
Wednesday 30th Liverpool Echo Arena POSTPONED

December
Friday 2nd Sheffield Motorpoint Arena POSTPONED
Saturday 3rd Newcastle Metro Radio Arena POSTPONED
Tuesday 6th Glasgow SECC POSTPONED
Wednesday 7th Glasgow SECC POSTPONED
Friday 9th Birmingham LG Arena POSTPONED
Saturday 10th Birmingham LG Arena POSTPONED
Monday 12th Manchester MEN Arena POSTPONED
Tuesday 13th Manchester MEN Arena POSTPONED
Friday 16th London Earls Court POSTPONED
Saturday 17th London Earls Court POSTPONED
Monday 19th London Earls Court POSTPONED

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I was supposed to be going to the Sheffield one next Friday The silly man's probably been hanging around in toilets again without his vest on... anyway get well soon George, hope you recover quickly. xxx