The singer's visits to the Odyssey, Belfast (November 22) and the INEC, Killarney (24) have now been cancelled.
The 60-year-old, who walked off stage halfway through a gig in Newcastle last week, has been diagnosed as having an inter-vocal cyst, and will undergo intense therapy before a decision’s made whether or not to operate.
“It really breaks my heart not to be able to perform these shows,” he says, “but I have to do what the doctors tell me so I can look forward to healing and coming back strong in 2008. Let me dispel any rumours before they start – I will be back.”