Céline Dion has said she has been diagnosed with the rare neurological condition stiff-person syndrome after having muscle spasms.
The Canadian singer, 54, told her Instagram followers on Thursday that she has cancelled and rescheduled dates for her European tour, which was due to start in February.
Her Dublin shows, originally scheduled for March 2023, will now take place in April 2024.
Dion said the spasms affect "her daily life" and create issues for her mobility and vocal cords.
The My Heart Will Go On singer wrote: "I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I've been going through...
"It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February."
Dion also cancelled eight of her summer 2023 shows and moved the rest of her European dates to 2024.
‼️ Celine Dion reschedules Spring 2023 shows to 2024, and cancels 8 of her summer 2023 shows. ‼️
— Celine Dion (@celinedion) December 8, 2022
"It hurts me to tell you that I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February." - Céline
Watch Celine's message here 👉🏼https://t.co/7el0cJVM4I pic.twitter.com/C9I8NEL5bs
She also said in a video: "Hello everyone, I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much, and I can't wait to be on stage talking to you in person.
"As you know, I've always been an open book and I wasn't ready to say anything before, but I'm ready now.
"I've been dealing with problems with my health for a long time, and it's been really difficult for me to face these challenges and to talk about everything that I've been going through.
"Recently, I've been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff-person syndrome which affects something like one in a million people.
"While we're still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what's been causing all of the spasms that I've been having.
"Unfortunately, these spasms affect every aspect of my daily life, sometimes causing difficulties when I walk and not allowing me to use my vocal cords to sing the way I'm used to.
"It hurts me to tell you today, this means I won't be ready to restart my tour in Europe in February.
"I have a great team of doctors working alongside me to help me get better and my precious children, who are supporting me and giving me hope.
"I'm working hard with my sports medicine therapist every day to build back my strength and my ability to perform again, but I have to admit, it's been a struggle.
"All I know is singing. It's what I've done all my life, and it's what I love to do the most.
"I miss you so much. I miss seeing all of you, being on the stage performing for you.
"I always give 100% when I do my shows, but my condition is not allowing me to give you that right now.
"For me to reach you again, I have no choice but to concentrate on my health at this moment, and I have hope that I'm on the road to recovery. This is my focus, and I'm doing everything that I can to recuperate.
"I want to thank you so much for your encouraging wishes of love and support on my social media. This means a lot to me.
"Take care of yourselves. Be well. I love you guys so much, and I really hope I can see you again real soon."
University College London said the condition stiff-person syndrome affects people, mainly in their 40s and 60s, with persistent spasms in their lower limbs and torso.
Sensory stimulation such as noise and light touch can also bring on severe spasms.
Respiration can be affected in advanced cases of the disorder and spasms could become constant.
Earlier this year, Dion apologised to fans for cancelling and rescheduling a string of European tour dates as she battled health issues.
Dion said then she was experiencing muscle spasms but was "doing my very best to get back to the level that I need to be so that I can give 100% at my shows".
She already had to reschedule tour dates during the Covid pandemic.
Source: Press Association
