Flu-ridden Kylie quits live show
Pop princess Kylie Minogue’s tour hangs in the balance today after she was forced to leave the stage halfway through a live show, blaming a bad bout of flu.
The Aussie singer halted her performance last night at the Manchester Evening News Arena because of the illness, a spokesman said.
The decision brought an abrupt end to the second of six performances of her Showgirl Homecoming show in the city.
A decision will be made today on whether Monday’s show can go ahead.
A spokesman denied that her health scare was linked to her battle with breast cancer, which caused a career hiatus before a comeback tour that began in Sydney, Australia, last November.
He said Kylie performed half her show in Manchester last night “and then unfortunately could not go back on just before the interval.
The spokesman said: “We are still waiting to see what is going to happen for the rest of the tour. There are four dates left in Manchester.
“Kylie is suffering flu, as are other members of the tour group, including her manager. It is not linked to her breast cancer.”
Spokesman John Bills added: “She didn’t want to let anyone down. She wanted to try to get through the show, but had to cut it short.”
Mr Bills said the tour manager would make a decision on Sunday on whether to proceed with Monday’s show.
Audience members at last night’s show noticed that the singer was suffering a heavy cold.
But Wayne Warby, of Blackburn, Lancashire, wrote on the Manchester Evening News website that Kylie remained the “ultimate showgirl”.
He said: “What a triumphant return. Although you could tell Kylie was suffering from a sore throat, this didn’t dampen the mood or the performance one bit.”
Kylie, 38, began her career as an actress on the Australian soap Neighbours and has gone on to become one of the most famous pop performers in the world.
It was revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2005. Her Showgirl tour was cut short as she retired from public life to battle against the disease.
