Celine Dion cancels shows after being diagnosed with 'rare neurological disorder'

After being diagnosed with ‘a very rare neurological disorder’, Celine Dion has cancelled her shows. She has also postponed a few of them to 2024.

Singer Celine Dion has cancelled and postponed a series of European shows on Thursday over problems related to a "very rare neurological disorder" that is affecting her singing. In a five-minute video posted on Instagram in French and English, a clearly emotional Celine said she had been suffering from health problems "for a long time".

After being diagnosed with ‘a very rare neurological disorder’, Celine Dion has cancelled her shows (REUTERS)

"Recently I have been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called 'stiff person syndrome' which affects something like one in a million people," she said.

It has been causing spasms that "affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal chords to sing the way I'm used to," she added.

The singer told her fans, "It hurts me to tell you today this means I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February." She said she was supported by her children and a team of doctors every day to improve her condition, "but I have to admit I struggle".

Her spring dates in Europe, which were due to begin in the Czech Republic in February, have been postponed to 2024, while eight of her summer shows have been cancelled entirely.

The Courage World Tour began in 2019, and Celine had completed 52 shows before the Covid-19 pandemic put the remainder on hold. She later cancelled the North American section of the tour due to her health problems.