Céline Dion moves Dublin gigs after revealing neurological condition

Celine Dion has revealed that she has been living with a neurological disorder called stiff person syndrome, postponing her February tour until 2024 as a result.

Earlier this year, the iconic Canadian singer postponed her European tour dates to February 2023 due to “ongoing health issues”, but didn’t offer any details beyond the fact that she was experiencing spasms. Now, in a video posted to Instagram, Dion has said she “wasn’t ready” to go into more detail about her health in the past, saying: “I am ready now.”

She then revealed that she had been living with an extremely rare autoimmune neurological condition that affects “one person in a million”.

The condition (SPS) primarily affects the brain and spinal cord and causes muscle stiffness, posture problems and sensory issues, as well as painful spasms.

SPS affects approximately one in 200,000 individuals in the UK, and is caused by the body’s immune system attacking itself. There is no cure for the disease, but it is treatable in most cases through chemical intervention and immune therapies.

Dion first spoke about her SPS symptoms in October 2021, when she postponed the beginning of her Las Vegas residency due to what she described as “severe and persistent” muscle spasms. “I’m heartbroken by this,” she said at the time. “My team and I have been working on our new show for the past eight months, and to not be able to open this November saddens me beyond words.”

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A post shared by Céline Dion (@celinedion)

“These spasms affect every aspect of my life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I’m used to,” Dion tearfully explained.

“I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better, and my precious children who are supporting me and giving me hope. I’m working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit it’s been a struggle.

“All I know is singing, it’s what I’ve done all my life and it’s what I love to do the most. I miss you so much, I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage, performing for you. I always give 100% when I do my shows but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.”

She concluded by saying: “This is my focus and I’m doing everything that I can to recuperate. I want to thank you so much for your encouraging wishes of love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me. Take care of yourselves, be well. I love you guys so much. And I really hope I can see you again real soon.”

Dion’s shows from February 24 – April 11, 2023 have been rescheduled to 2024, while the shows from May 31 – July 17 have been cancelled altogether. Her concerts scheduled for August to October 2023 are not affected.

Check out the list of new tour dates below:

MARCH 2024

6 – Prague, O2 Arena
8 – Lodz, Atlas Arena
10 – Krakow, Tauron Arena
13 – Zurich, Hallenstadion Zurich
14 – Zurich, Hallenstadion Zurich
16 – Zagreb, Zagreb Arena
19 – Cologne, Lanxess Arena
21 – Berlin, Mercedes Benz Arena
23 – Munich, Olympiahalle
26 – Budapest, Laszlo Papp Budapest Arena
28 – Vienna, Wiener Stadthalle
31 – Hamburg, Barclaycard Arena

APRIL 2024

2- Mannheim, SP Arena
5 – Dublin, 3Arena
6 – Dublin, 3Arena
9- Manchester, AO Arena
13 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
14 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro
17 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena
18 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena Birmingham
21 – London, The O2
22 – London, The O2