George Michael has cancelled the Australian leg of his tour due to “major anxiety” following his battle with pneumonia at the end of last year.
In a statement on his website, George Michael said the cancellation of nine concerts “breaks my heart”.
The singer confirmed he would still fulfill his UK dates in October but would then undergo treatment for his condition.
George Michael suffered from life-threatening pneumonia and spent a month in a Vienna hospital last winter.
The ex-Wham singer added in his statement: “I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience.
“They recommended complete rest and the type of post-traumatic counseling which is available in cases like mine but I’m afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself.”
He has already performed numerous dates across Europe over the last month.
George Michael added that despite enjoying his recent performances, “unfortunately, I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be”.
The nine cancelled concerts were due to take place in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Hunter Valley.
The Symphonica tour was resumed this autumn after it was pulled when he became ill in November last year, just hours before he was due to perform in Vienna.
George Michael had completed 46 of the original 65 dates when he contracted pneumonia.
Lady Gaga admitted on stage that she felt a bit concussed after being hit on the head by a dancer’s pole during her concert in Auckland, New Zealand.
And two days later Lady Gaga has revealed she’s still feeling a “bit woozy” following the head clash.
Lady Gaga, 26, has taken to Twitter to post up a photo of herself with her black eye which was caused by the incident.
But she insists she’s recovering after flying into Australia to complete her Born This Way tour.
Lady Gaga took the picture from her hotel room in Brisbane and wrote: “Emerging from hours of sleep. Still remiss if I should go outside, with this clonker I may be of questionable styling.”
Lady Gaga has taken to Twitter to post up a photo of herself with her black eye which was caused by the Auckland concert incident
The singer added: “Thank you so much for all the thoughtful messages. I feel a bit woozy but a little better everyday. Very happy to be in beautiful Australia.”
She was on stage in Auckland when a dancer accidentally struck her on the head with a pole as she danced early on in the two-hour set.
The superstar told the crowd: “I want to apologize. I did hit my head and I think I may have a concussion but don’t you worry I will finish this show.”
Lady Gaga managed to continue the show and even finish it despite the injury.
Her make-up artist, Tara Savelo, added on Twitter following the show: “Gaga has a concussion but she is going to be okay. She wants u to know she loves u. I’m taking care of her. Cant believe she finished the show.”
Lady Gaga now has a couple of days rest before she is due to restart the trek in Brisbane on Wednesday night to begin the Australian leg.
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