Brit rock legend cancels four gigs just 24 hours before he’s due onstage after falling ill as he apologises to fans

A BRITISH rock legend has cancelled four gigs just 24 hours before he was due back on stage.

Sting, 73, has fallen ill, with the musician’s Instagram page revealing that he has now been forced to cancel several upcoming shows.

“On advisement from his doctor, due to illness, it is with sincere regret that Sting must cancel his appearance at the Bass Magazine Awards this Thursday,” the statement read.

It went on to reveal that he would also “postpone his STING 3.0 concerts in Phoenix, AZ (originally scheduled for January 24) to June 1 and Wheatland, CA (originally scheduled for January 26) to May 28 as well as his performance at the Cherrytree Music Company’s 20th anniversary, now taking place May 29”.

The statement went on to say: “Fans should retain their tickets for the postponed shows, as they will be honored on the new dates. Sting sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience and extends his gratitude to the fans for their understanding.”

Reacting to the announcement, fans flocked to support the star.

One wrote: “He’ll be back soon, he’s strong, I think it’s just some kind of cold or flu. Anyway, I wish him recovery and send him hugs and support.”

Another added: “Best wishes – rest and heal – your fans will be waiting for you. That is never a question.”

While a third said: “I hope Sting will get better. Your fans will understand and will be there on the new dates you announced and I hope it’s not a bad thing that you have.”

FANS SUPPORT STING

A fourth then penned: “Take good care, Sting! Feel better soon !!”

And a fifth added: “Get well soon Sting. Hope to see you in June in Liverpool. Take care. Lots of love.”

Sting, real name Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner, was the frontman of band Police from 1977 until their breakup in 1986.

He then launched a solo career in 1985, with him exploring rock, jazz, reggae, classical, new-age, and worldbeat in his music.

This isn’t the first time that Sting has had to cancel gigs.

CANCELLED GIGS BEFORE

In 2018, he cancelled a joint concert with Shaggy in San Francisco due to a cold that turned into a sinus infection.

A year later Sting went on to axe several European tour dates due to an unspecified illness. 

He pulled out of shows in Belgium, Germany, Stuttgart, and the Czech Republic. 

At the time of his mystery illness in 2019, a source close to Sting insisted it was not serious, but had been enough to cause doctors to order him to cancel the gigs.

They said: “He’s just resting up. Everyone is expecting him to be back up and running very soon. He’ll be going straight into the rest of his scheduled tour dates.”

Later that year, Sting took to the stage with his arm in a sling.

Unable to play guitar after getting an injury, Sting didn’t let that stop him from thrilling fans.