George Michael Cancels Australian Shows over 'Pneumonia'

A mature and politically engaged George Michael took the stage in Sofia in May 2007 in what was widely described as the most impatiently awaited gig of the year in Bulgaria. File photo by Sofia Photo Agency

Singer George Michael still has not recovered from his battle with pneumonia last year and has been forced to cancel shows in Australia, his website said, fueling speculations over his health condition.

In a statement on his website, Michael said the cancellation of nine concerts "breaks my heart".

He confirmed he would still fulfill his UK dates in October but would then undergo treatment for his condition.

Michael suffered from life-threatening pneumonia and spent a month in a Vienna hospital last winter. He later shared he had a few close to death experiences and suffered memory loss.

The ex-Wham singer added in his statement: " 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."

He has already performed numerous dates across Europe over the last month.

The singer added that despite enjoying his recent performances, "unfortunately, I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be".

The nine cancelled concerts were due to take place in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Hunter Valley.

George Michael's exalted Bulgarian fans had the pleasure to enjoy their idol's show in May, 2007. The concert was part of George Michael's "25 Live" concert tour, his first in over fifteen years.

The British pop star canceled a concert in Germany to come to Bulgaria and embrace the campaign "You are not alone", which aimed to raise the international profile of the Bulgarian nurses, who were at that time sentenced to death in Libya on bogus charges of intentionally infecting 426 children with AIDS.

A mature and politically engaged George Michael took the stage in Sofia in what was widely described as the most impatiently awaited gig of the year in Bulgaria.

To prove his allegiance to the cause, George Michael wore a red, white and green ribbon - the country's national colors, a symbol of the initiative that united thousands of Bulgarians in support of the nurses.

The huge scene and impressive visual effects of the show were something unseen in Bulgaria so far.

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