George Michael pneumonia “severe”, postpones tour

LONDON, (Reuters) – British singer George  Michael has been forced to postpone the rest of his European  tour due to ongoing treatment for “severe” pneumonia, his  spokeswoman said today.
But she denied reports that the former Wham! frontman was  suffering from serious heart problems and said he was “slowly  improving” in hospital in Vienna.
“George Michael is ill with pneumonia and any other  speculation regarding his illness is unfounded and untrue,” she  said in a statement.
“He is receiving excellent medical care; he is responding to  treatment and slowly improving.”
His doctors advised that the chart-topping artist behind  such solo hits as “Careless Whisper” and “Faith” should postpone  the rest of his Symphonica tour.
He is being treated by Christoph Zielinski and Thomas  Staudinger, who said in a joint statement:
“George Michael has severe community acquired pneumonia and  is being treated as an inpatient. His condition has stabilised  and he is responding to treatment.
“From the current point of view, the time until recovery  cannot be estimated, but he will not be able to perform the rest  of the tour. Besides medical treatment, complete rest and peace  and quiet are mandatory.”
All British dates of his Symphonica European tour have been  called off, including three this month and 11 in December.
Further announcements will be made once the gigs can be  rescheduled, and ticket holders have been asked to retain their  tickets.
The tour opened in Prague in August, and was seen as a  comeback for a singer who once vowed to retire from the stage  altogether and spent four weeks in prison in 2010 for driving  under the influence of cannabis.