Sam Smith cancels UK dates after stopping Manchester concert mid-show

Sam Smith has said they are cancelling their concerts in Glasgow and Birmingham due to a “vocal cord injury”.

The 31-year-old singer, who uses they/them pronouns and is non-binary, was forced to end their Manchester AO Arena show on Wednesday mid-show after the fourth song.

The tour, which is in support of their fourth studio album Gloria, was set to play Ovo Hydro in Glasgow on Thursday and Resorts World Arena in Birmingham on Saturday.

The dates had been cancelled in April by Smith due to illness.

In an Instagram story to Smith’s account on Thursday, a statement said: “Due to vocal issues during last night’s Manchester performance, regrettably we will be cancelling the rescheduled Birmingham and Glasgow Sam Smith shows.”

It added that refunds will be given for all three dates and a spokesperson for the singer said: “Doctors have advised due to a vocal cord injury, Sam must have complete vocal rest.

“Sam is heartbroken to have had to cancel these shows but they have been told by doctors that if they keep singing, they will do permanent damage to their voice.

“If they take some rest they will be able to perform again.”

Smith, who has had eight UK number one singles including Unholy and Too Good At Goodbyes, has a series of festival dates in places such as Warsaw, Switzerland, Portugal and Latvia over June and July.

Earlier in an Instagram story, the Brit award-winning artist said they had been fighting off a “virus a few weeks ago” and had “felt fine” during soundcheck.

When they performed their third song, they noticed “something wrong” with their voice.

Smith added: “I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.

“I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won’t.

“I am honestly heartbroken I couldn’t finish the show tonight for you all.

“I love you all. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry x.”

Prior to the concert, the singer teased a “surprise” at the Manchester AO Arena which appeared to suggest that 64-year-old American singer-songwriter Madonna would be joining them on stage.