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Singer Lewis Capaldi has announced he will be taking a break from touring “for the foreseeable future”, saying he is “still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s.”

It comes after the star struggled during his set at Glastonbury Festival over the weekend, with fans in the crowd singing for him as he stopped on stage during his hit song Someone You Loved.

Sharing an update on social media, Capaldi said it had been “the most difficult decision of my life”, but his performance on the Pyramid Stage had made it “obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order” to be able to keep doing “everything I love for a long time to come”.

The 26-year-old singer had previously cancelled three weeks of shows to rest and recover ahead of the festival.

On stage, he repeatedly apologised for losing his voice, and told fans they probably would not “see much of me for the rest of the year”.

In a statement posted on Tuesday, he thanked “Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards”, adding: “It really does mean the world.”

“The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise probably doesn’t make it any easier to write, but I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future,” Capaldi said.

“I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.”

‘Incredibly sorry’

The star went on to acknowledge being “incredibly fortunate” to be able to take time out “when others can’t”, and said he wanted to thank his “amazing” family, friends, team, medical professionals “and all of you who’ve been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more so during this past year when I’ve needed it more than ever”.

Capaldi had gigs and festival appearances in Australia, Asia and Europe planned throughout the year, including a performance in Zurich, Switzerland, on Wednesday.

He apologised to those with tickets to all his shows, saying he was “incredibly sorry” but needs “to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve”.

Lewis Capaldi’s planned shows for 2023

The singer had sold-out gigs and festival appearances planned from now until October, including a performance at Zurich’s Hallenstadion on Wednesday.
His statement has been shared by the venue, which says tickets will be refunded.
He was also due to play at Chepstow Racecourse in Wales on Saturday before travelling to Australia.

Australia and New Zealand

Qudos Bank Arena, Sydney – 7 and 8 July;
RAC Arena, Perth – 11 July;
Adelaide Entertainment Centre – 13 July;
Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne – 14 and 15 July;
Spark Arena, Auckland – 18 July;
TSB Arena, Wellington – 19 July

Southeast and East Asia

Star City, Singapore – 25 July;
New Frontier Theatre, Manila, Philippines – 27 July
KSB;
KBS Arena, Seoul, South Korea – 29 July

Europe

Laugardalsholl, Reykjavik, Iceland – 11 August;
Wythenshawe Park, Manchester, UK – 25 August;
Reading and Leeds Festival, UK – 26 and 27 August;
Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh, UK – 30 August and 1 September;
Vital, Belfast, UK – 3 September;
Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona, Spain – 8 September;
Olympiahalle, Munich, Germany – 12 September;
Schleyer-Halle, Stuttgart, Germany – 13 September;
Terra Vibe Park, Athens – 16 September

Middle East

Al Dana Amphitheatre, Zallaq, Bahrain – 6 October;
Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai, UAE – 7 October

Capaldi finished by saying: “Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possibly can. All my love, always, Lewis.”

The singer recently admitted on an Apple Music show that his mental health issues were a “direct symptom” of his work, and shared his struggle with Tourette’s in the Netflix documentary, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now.

He said “a few panic attacks” and his Tourette’s diagnosis were worth the trade-off for a pop star’s life, but admitted he could give up music if his mental health worsened.

Read more:
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Lewis Capaldi: How I'm Feeling Now. Pic: Netflix
Image:
Capaldi recently shared his story in the How I’m Feeling Now documentary. Pic: Netflix

On stage at Glastonbury on Saturday, the Scottish star admitted he was having voice issues in the run-up to performing his chart-topping ballad Someone You Loved.

“I’m going to be honest everybody, but I’m starting to lose my voice up here, but we’re going to keep going and we’re going to go until the end,” he told the crowd. “I just need you all to sing with me as loud as you can if that’s okay?”

As he struggled to hit the notes, the huge audience roused to help him by singing back as he watched on, clearly emotional.

Artists who have cancelled events due to health issues

Capaldi joins a growing list of stars prioritising their mental and physical health over shows and performances. Earlier this year, Justin Bieber cancelled the remainder of his world tour following ongoing health issues, and also called off shows in 2017 to focus on his mental health.

Last year, Shawn Mendes axed shows in the UK, North America and Europe, telling fans he had been advised by health professionals, and Demi Lovato is another star who has put off shows and spoken about her mental health struggles.

Selena Gomez cancelled shows in 2016 due to anxiety and depression, while at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, star US gymnast Simone Biles pulled out of the team event due to concerns for her mental health.

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

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Robin Kaye: American Idol TV executive and her husband shot dead inside their Los Angeles home

An American Idol TV executive and her husband have been found dead in their LA home.

Robin Kaye was a music supervisor on the long-running reality TV series.

The bodies of the 70-year-old and her husband Thomas were discovered after officers conducted a welfare check at their home.

Both had died from gunshot wounds.

Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook
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Robin Kaye and her husband Thomas. Pic: Facebook

Detectives say Raymond Boodarian has been arrested in connection with their deaths.

It is alleged the 22-year-old had burgled their property while they were away on 10 July – killing the couple upon their return.

According to Los Angeles Police, there were “no signs of forced entry or trouble” at the property.

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Ms Kaye was an industry veteran – and had previously worked on shows including Lip Sync Battle and The Singing Bee, as well as several Miss USA and Miss Universe pageants.

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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles
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Pic: ABC7 Los Angeles

In a statement, an American Idol spokesperson said: “Robin has been a cornerstone of the Idol family since 2009 and was truly loved and respected by all who came in contact with her.

“Robin will remain in our hearts forever and we share our deepest sympathy with her family and friends during this difficult time.”

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week’s shows in Manchester

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Action taken to stop ticketless Oasis fans from watching this week's shows in Manchester

Huge steel fences have been erected to prevent ticketless fans from watching the Oasis reunion tour in Manchester.

Liam and Noel Gallagher will resume their sold-out run of shows – their first since 2009 – with a performance at Heaton Park tonight, and two more on Saturday and Sunday.

While tens of thousands bought tickets for Oasis’s first two shows last weekend, crowds gathered to glimpse the large screens above the stage in the distance – in an area dubbed “Gallagher Hill” by some on social media.

People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. File pic: Reuters
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People walk past a temporary security fence erected ahead of concerts by Oasis in Heaton Park on 1 July. Reuters file pic

Manchester City Council has now said more steel fences have been erected around parts of the park to prevent ticketless fans from watching the gigs, and to protect nature in the park.

“After taking stock of how the first two nights went, additional measures have now been deemed necessary and will be in place for the next three concerts,” it said.

“The erection of the fencing has a dual purpose – both to protect the environment from further damage and to dissuade people from gathering there.

“The necessary measure means the concert will no longer be visible from this area.”

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Friday: Excited fans at Oasis homecoming gig

The fences will cover a large area of the hill within the park’s cattle field, which is being developed as a new woodland area with around 300 young trees planted.

The council added that there would be no facilities for people without a ticket, and said the event area is “double-walled with solid high security fencing all the way round”.

More than 2,000 event security staff and police officers will also be on duty around the site “to ensure both the safety and wellbeing of ticket-holders and that only those who have tickets access the concert”, it said.

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John Hacking, the council’s executive member for employment, skills and leisure, also said in a statement that “unfortunately our hand has been forced in having to put these additional measures in place”.

He added: “Our advice to music fans who don’t have tickets for the concerts is to head into the city centre instead.

“The whole city is going all out to celebrate and help everyone have a good time.

“We’ve got some fantastic things going on with a real party atmosphere for everyone to enjoy, whether they’ve got tickets for the Oasis gigs or not.”

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

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MasterChef presenter John Torode sacked

MasterChef presenter John Torode will no longer work on the show after an allegation he used an “extremely offensive racist term” was upheld, the BBC has said.

His co-host Gregg Wallace was also sacked last week after claims of inappropriate behaviour.

On Monday, Torode said an allegation he used racist language was upheld in a report into the behaviour of Wallace. The report found more than half of 83 allegations against Wallace were substantiated.

Torode, 59, insisted he had “absolutely no recollection” of the alleged incident involving him and he “did not believe that it happened,” adding “racial language is wholly unacceptable in any environment”.

John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic:PA
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John Torode and Gregg Wallace in 2008. Pic: PA

In a statement on Tuesday, a BBC spokesperson said the allegation “involves an extremely offensive racist term being used in the workplace”.

The claim was “investigated and substantiated by the independent investigation led by the law firm Lewis Silkin”, they added.

“The BBC takes this upheld finding extremely seriously,” the spokesperson said.

“We will not tolerate racist language of any kind… we told Banijay UK, the makers of MasterChef, that action must be taken.

“John Torode’s contract on MasterChef will not be renewed.”

Australian-born Torode started presenting MasterChef alongside Wallace, 60, in 2005.

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Why Gregg Wallace says he ‘will not go quietly’

A statement from Banijay UK said it “takes this matter incredibly seriously” and Lewis Silkin “substantiated an accusation of highly offensive racist language against John Torode which occurred in 2018”.

“This matter has been formally discussed with John Torode by Banijay UK, and whilst we note that John says he does not recall the incident, Lewis Silkin have upheld the very serious complaint,” the TV production company added.

“Banijay UK and the BBC are agreed that we will not renew his contract on MasterChef.”

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Earlier, as the BBC released its annual report, its director-general Tim Davie addressed MasterChef’s future, saying it can survive as it is “much bigger than individuals”.

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BBC annual report findings

Speaking to BBC News after Torode was sacked, Mr Davie said a decision is yet to be taken over whether an unseen MasterChef series – filmed with both Wallace and Torode last year – will be aired.

“It’s a difficult one because… those amateur chefs gave a lot to take part – it means a lot, it can be an enormous break if you come through the show,” he added.

“I want to just reflect on that with the team and make a decision, and we’ll communicate that in due course.”

Mr Davie refused to say what the “seriously racist term” Torode was alleged to have used but said: “I certainly think we’ve drawn a line in the sand.”

In 2022, Torode was made an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to food and charity.

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