Sunday, September 30, 2012 7:12am ET by  
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George Michael cancels Australian tour dates to seek treatment for anxiety

George Michael has cancelled nine tour dates in Australia due to major issues with anxiety.

The pop icon, who is currently in the midst of his Symphonica: The Orchestral tour, made the announcement on his official website yesterday, explaining he will seek treatment for the problem which has affected him since his battle with pneumonia last year:

"I have today announced the cancellation of the shows in Australia which breaks my heart. By way of explanation all I can say at this time is that since last year's illness I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience. 

"They recommended complete rest and the type of post traumatic counselling which is available in cases like mine but I'm afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself."

The ‘White Light’ singer, who was due to open the newly-built Perth Arena on November 10, then apologised to his Australian fans after adding:

"Unfortunately I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be and although I was right to believe that the shows would bring me great happiness and that my voice would recover completely (I truly think that some of my recent performances have been my best ever) I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December."

 

 

 

Watch the video for George Michael's 'White Light' below: