Traumatised Michael ‘broken hearted’ over tour

The singer, who nearly died late last year, was due to take his Symphonica tour down under in November and December but in a statement said he had decided he could no longer do so.

The statement on his website said: “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.”

He apologised to his “wonderful Australian fan base” and promised to receive the treatment he feels he needs after he has carried out his shows in the UK in the next few weeks.

Michael, 49, began his 64-date tour last year but was forced to pull out of it when he became dangerously ill after performing in Austria, spending about a month being treated in hospital there.

He resumed the tour in Vienna earlier this month, donating 1,000 tickets to medical staff as a thank you for saving his life.

The singer – who celebrated his 30-year career in music in June – reworked and rearranged his songs for a 40-piece orchestra for the tour, which sees him perform in a number of British cities this month.

He told fans it was “great to be alive” as he returned to the 
stage after also performing at the Olympics closing ceremony last month.

Michael was due to play dates in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Hunter Valley between November 10 and December 1.