AMERICAN IDOL - KELLY CLARKSON AXES US TOUR

KELLY CLARKSON AXES US TOUR

Former American Idol star Kelly Clarkson has cancelled her US summer tour after poor ticket sales.

The singer had a number of dates scheduled across her homeland, but all of the shows have now been called off and refunds issued from the various sellers.

In a statement posted on her official website, Clarkson said: "I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to getting out there to perform for y'all.

"In the craziness of the music business, performing is what I look forward to doing the most, so it really is disappointing for me to have to tell you that I won't be coming out to tour this summer. The fact is that touring is just too much too soon."

She added that another tour would be scheduled as soon as possible as the singer prepares for the release of her new album My December.

"I promise you that we're going to get back out there as soon as is humanly possible to give you a show that will be even better. Thanks for all of your love and continued support."

Michael Rapino, chief executive of concert promoters LiveNation, told the Reuters news agency that sales had not been as successful as hoped.

He said: "Ticket sales have not been what we anticipated and we came to the realisation that we had bit off more than we could chew."

Clarkson won the first series of American Idol and his released two highly successful pop albums in the US.