UK: Pop star George Michael says he is heartbroken by the need to cancel his Australia tour as a result of post-traumatic anxiety following last year's illness

Record ID: 191187

  • Title: UK: Pop star George Michael says he is heartbroken by the need to cancel his Australia tour as a result of post-traumatic anxiety following last year's illness
  • Date: 1st October 2012
  • Summary: SLATE INFORMATION
  • Embargoed: 16th October 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Arts,People
  • Reuters ID: LVA1ZX677D36EI44SFZ97ZBSS6FM
  • Story Text: British singer George Michael announced through his website on Sunday (September 30) that he would cancel his Australian tour after suffering post-traumatic stress following his near-fatal illness.
    "I have today announced the cancellation of the shows in Australia which breaks my heart. By way of explanation all I can say at this time is that since last year's illness 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 counselling 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. Unfortunately I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be and although I was right to believe that the shows would bring me great happiness and that my voice would recover completely (I truly think that some of my recent performances have been my best ever) I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December," read the statement on his website.
    In an interview prior to his concert at London's Royal Albert Hall on Saturday (September 29), the pop star said his supporters throughout Europe had been "amazing."
    "It feels fantastic to be back here and fantastic - the crowds and the audiences we've seen so far around Europe have been amazing, so, it's always better to get home, obviously."
    The former Wham! frontman, who went on to pursue a successful solo career, fell ill in the Austrian capital in November 2011 and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. He spent a month in Vienna's General Hospital under intensive care.
    The near-death experience prompted Michael's new single "White Light", which he performed at the closing ceremony of the London Olympic Games.
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