Lewis Capaldi has announced he will take a break from performing live.
The singer, 26, took to the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury for his first performance in almost a month on Saturday after taking a break from all commitments in the three weeks prior to the festival.
The hitmaker became emotional as he started losing his voice while singing, prompting him to apologise to the crowds before announcing he would be taking more time off to focus on his health.
As he coughed and struggled to sing, his supportive fans helped him finish one of his hit tracks.
Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year.
Break: Lewis Capaldi has broken his silence on his Glastonbury performance, thanking fans for their support as he confirmed he will be taking a break from touring
Sorry: Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year
‘Hello everyone. First of all thank you to Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards. It really does mean the world,’ he began.
‘The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, bit I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.
‘I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.’
‘I know I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can’t and I’d like to thank my amazing family. friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who’ve been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I’ve needed it more than ever.’
‘I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possible can. All my love always, Lewis’.
Lewis had 24 remaining dates scheduled for his Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent tour, ending in Belfast at Boucher Road Playing Fields on September 3rd
‘Fans have rallied around the star after a clip of him struggling to sing at Glastonbury due to his Tourette’s symptoms went viral online.’
‘Stay strong and keep fighting, you’re amazing,’ one fan wrote on Twitter, while another added: ‘Just incredible, you have got this, just keep being you.’
Lewis took to the Pyramid Stage for his first performance in almost a month on Saturday after taking a break from all commitments in the three weeks prior to the festival
One spectator branded the Scotsman ‘absolute class’ for ‘soldiering on’, while another tweeted: ‘Can’t imagine what it takes to have the guts to perform whilst living with Tourette’s but hope Capaldi knows his fans are with him every step.’
Lewis has been open about his struggles with Tourette’s – a neurological condition characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics, which can cause speech and voice abnormalities.
Others said the ‘very moving’ performance will ‘go down in history’ while also helping to raise awareness about the condition.
A Tourette’s sufferer added: ‘I can tell you that he would have been holding them tics in all day and he would have been exhausted, hope he’s okay, he’s now my hero.
‘What he has just done for awareness he has put his career on the line, he’s my hero he gave it a go, well done!’
Despite his struggles, the star had insisted on finishing his set and the show came to an emotional close as the crowds sweetly sang Someone You Love for him.
The heartwarming moment saw Lewis walk across the stage and sing short bursts of the track, while the kind crowds sang at the top of their voices to support the star.
Near the end of his set, he told the crowd: ‘I feel like I’ll be taking another wee break over the next few weeks, you probably won’t see much of me for the rest of the year.’
Lewis Capaldi fans rally around the star after a clip of him struggling to sing at Glastonbury due to his Tourette’s symptoms went viral online
During his Glastonbury show, Lewis also candidly opened up about why he had taken a three-week break away from the stage before the music festival.
He said: ‘I took three weeks off because I’ve been non-stop at the start of the year and I wanted a break for my head and my mental health, I wanted to come back and do Glastonbury, because it’s so incredible.’
His fans have since taken to Twitter to reassure him that they will be waiting for him, however long it takes.
‘You’re an amazing artist and create magic in your songs,’ wrote one, ‘take a break and you will be back wowing the fans again in no time.’
Another said: ‘Everyone is behind you and the love for you is always here.
‘Get yourself that break, everyone will be here when you return stronger than ever.’
A string of famous famous faces have also shown their support for the Scottish star.
TV presenter Dan Walker wrote: ‘Special moment at #Glastonbury as the crowd help Lewis Capaldi ❤️.’
