George Michael - George Michael Cancels Australian Leg of His Tour Due to “Major Anxiety” After Struggle with Pneumonia

In the aftermath of his life-threatening condition of pneumonia late last year, George Michael has been forced, by his mental ill-health, to cancel the final leg of his worldwide tour in Australia.

Although Michael, ex-front man of Wham!, will perform at all the dates set for the UK over the next two weeks, beginning with tonight's concert at the Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, South Yorkshire, he feels unable to continue to Australia for the six dates he was meant to perform there in November and December this year. All fans that have bought tickets will automatically have their ticket price reimbursed by October 12th.

Michael cites the cause of his cancellation to “major anxiety” after doctors spent three weeks trying to keep him alive in Austria having contracted pneumonia in late 2011. The remainder of his Symphonica tour was postponed until this year.

Michael gave a full and heartfelt explanation to the cancellation on his website, saying “I have today [29/09/2012] 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.”

He finished his statement with an apology; “All that's left for me to do is apologise to my wonderful Australian fan base and to promise faithfully that as soon as I completed these shows here in the UK I will receive the treatment which is so long overdue.”