- Music
- 11 Dec 17
Chris Rea cancels concert after collapsing on stage
The 'Driving Home For Christmas' singer collapsed during a concert in New Theatre, Oxford, on December 9.
The singer, who is 66, will no longer perform as planned at the Bournemouth International Centre on December 12.
A statement from his spokesman said: “Unfortunately, Chris Rea is unable to perform at The Bournemouth International Centre (BIC) on Tuesday 12th December due to illness.
“All ticket holders should obtain refunds at point of purchase.”
The singer, whose timeless hits like 'Road To Hell' and 'On The Beach' have made him a music legend, performed in Dublin's Olympia Theatre as part of his 'Road Songs for Lovers' tour only a week ago.
Shortly after the incident on Saturday night, Rea was thought to be in a “stable” condition.
The Middlesbrough-born musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001, and in 2016 he suffered a stroke.
Rea told BBC Breakfast in August: “I had a stroke exactly this time last year, and I stopped smoking this time last year.”
He said he is still feeling the effects of the stroke, and added: “I’m fine when I’m sitting down, I’ve just got a little bit of balance – it’s a bit dodgy, just in case anyone thinks I’m drunk on-stage.”
