British pop star Williams cancels China, India concerts

SHANGHAI: Thousands of Robbie Williams fans will have to wait to see the British pop star perform in Asia after organizers said on Friday that concerts in China and India had been cancelled due to stress and exhaustion.

Promoters in Shanghai said that poor health was behind Williams' decision to forego part of the Asian leg of his Close Encounters World Tour, which was to include stops in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Mumbai.

"It is with deep regret that we announce the cancellation of the Robbie Williams tour to Shanghai," a statement said.   

"As we reach the final stages of the European tour, it became clear that the stress and exhaustion of the Asian tour, coming so shortly after the end of the European and South American dates, would seriously impact his health," it added.

Nigel Peters, a Bangkok-based manager at Midas Promotions, regional promoter of the tour, confirmed that Shanghai and Mumbai had been axed but there was no definite decision concerning the other Asia shows.

Williams, probably best known for his hit Angels, was to take to the stage in China's economic hub of Shanghai on November 4.

No tickets were sold in Shanghai but sales have been made in Hong Kong and Singapore.

His concert in Shanghai would have put him on the same list as the Rolling Stones, who became the biggest Western rock act to hit China when they performed in April to a sold-out audience of mostly foreigners.

Elton John performed in Shanghai in 2004, and Deep Purple played in Beijing in 2003.