British pop star Alfie Templeman has cancelled a string of upcoming gigs to seek help for substance abuse, apologising profusely to his fans. The 23-year-old singer, known for hits like Happiness in Liquid Form, announced the news on social media on Thursday evening, citing his mental health as the reason he can no longer perform for the foreseeable future.
A Heartfelt Announcement
In an Instagram post, Templeman wrote: "Hey folks, unfortunately my current mental state is making it impossible for me to be able to perform the shows I have scheduled next month. I now realise how important it is for me to go and get serious help for the substance abuse issues and depression I’ve suffered from in recent years."
He continued: "I’m unbelievably sorry to all of you that were looking forward to my performances, and I promise that once I’m better you’ll see a lot more of me again. You just never really know what’s going on in someone’s head. Be kind to one another. Love you all and see you soon."
Fan Support and Festival Response
Fans quickly flooded the comments with supportive messages, with one writing: "Taking care of yourself is the most important thing to do." Another said: "Your health comes first, I hope things get better," while a third added: "Take as long as you need Alfie, we will all be here waiting when you are able to return."
Templeman, who topped the UK Indie Charts with his debut album Mellow Moon in 2022 and followed up with Radiosoul two years later, had been scheduled to perform at several gigs and festivals throughout August, including the 110 Above Festival in Warwickshire. The festival organisers posted their own statement, expressing their sadness and support.
They wrote: "We're incredibly saddened to hear that Alfie Templeman won't be able to join us this summer. We've been lucky enough to watch Alfie grow as an artist over the years. We've always admired him not just for his incredible talent, but for the way he's used his platform. He's never been afraid to speak up for the things he believes in, and that same honesty has always shone through in his music. It takes real courage to recognise when you need help and to say so publicly. We have enormous respect for Alfie for putting his health first. Today, we're simply sending him our love and support. We hope he finds the time, space and support he needs, and we'll be here cheering him on whenever he's ready to return. Alfie has been part of the 110 Above story for many years, and he'll always be welcome here."
