Deep Purple have cancelled the rest of their European and UK tour after frontman Ian Gillan was hospitalised following a medical emergency in Leipzig. The cancellation affects all remaining dates, including five shows in the UK and the highly anticipated performance at the Royal Albert Hall.
Medical Emergency in Leipzig
Gillan required urgent hospital treatment while the band were in Leipzig ahead of a scheduled show on Saturday. Two performances in Germany, at the QI Arena in Leipzig and the Sporthalle in Hamburg, were initially called off at short notice.
In a statement on Instagram, the band said: "With great disappointment, Deep Purple must announce that they are unable to perform as scheduled tonight at the QI Arena (Leipzig) and tomorrow evening at the Sporthalle (Hamburg)." The statement added that the cancellation came "as a result of a medical emergency involving Ian Gillan, which has resulted in his current hospitalisation."
Tour Postponed on Medical Advice
Gillan later released an update on social media, explaining that medics had told him he needed more time to recover. He wrote: "Thank you for all the good wishes and support over the last few days, it means the world. I had a medical problem whilst in Leipzig which required urgent attention at the hospital."
He continued: "I was hoping that I would get the all clear to hang on until the end of the tour, but there are very serious risks involved in me doing so. As a result, and on the advice of my medical team and management we have made the decision to postpone the rest of the European/UK tour until further notice. I'm very sorry about any inconvenience this may cause, but it's in the best interest all round."
Impact on Shows and Tickets
All four performances in Germany have been cancelled, along with shows in the Netherlands and France. Five UK dates are affected, including the night at the Royal Albert Hall.
Deep Purple said all purchased tickets will remain valid for rescheduled dates once new shows are arranged. The band and their team are focused on finding a suitable time to reschedule both the Leipzig and Hamburg shows.
The hospital dash came less than a month after the group's bassist Glenn Hughes underwent open-heart surgery. Hughes announced in October that he would not tour. A mini South American tour starting in São Paulo, Brazil, on December 5 was also announced last year, but there has been no update on whether it will go ahead. No further details on Gillan's condition have been shared so far.
