Duran Duran have been forced to axe more gigs amid fears an "underlying" health issue is to blame for singer Simon Le Bon's voice problems.
The Rio hitmakers cancelled a string of dates on their U.K. tour last month (May11) after Le Bon fell ill with what medics believed was a throat infection.
But after resting his voice for three weeks and undergoing a series of tests, he is still experiencing problems and the band has now announced they have axed five dates in mainland Europe, which were due to kick off on Friday (10Jun11).
Le Bon has also revealed his concern that there is an underlying health issue hindering his recovery, and doctors are preparing to perform an MRI scan to find the cause of his illness.
In a series of posts on Twitter.com, he announced the concert cancellations and wrote, "This is due to a continuing voice problem that I have been experiencing. There has been a little improvement to my voice in the last three wks (weeks). This I'd put down to the inflammation on my vocal folds clearing up.
"There is obviously some underlying problem which is not shown by laryngoscopy. I really appreciate the concern being shown by so many of you.
“I'm also aware that worry and anxiety work against my recovery so I'm really trying to remain positive. It's difficult to stay relaxed when you feel like fighting hard. I'm doing an MRI scan tomorrow."
In a statement, Duran Duran bass player John Taylor says, "You have no idea how disappointed we all are at the news that we won't be playing this weekend.
“We have been holding on to that hope while we waited to hear from the doctors. We know what this means to the fans, so many of whom are traveling (sic) tremendous distances to see us.
"It's hardest on Simon who is doing everything he can in terms of a recovery plan. We feel utterly powerless over the situation, as all we can do is wait for his injury to mend. Our hope is to start up again in Helsinki."
The cancelled concerts are in Paris, France, Brussels in Belgium, Dutch capital The Hague, Stockholm in Sweden, and Copenhagen, Denmark.
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