‘Utterly devastated’ Paloma Faith cancels gig just hours before going onstage after falling ill

PALOMA Faith revealed she is “utterly devastated” as she cancelled a gig tonight just hours before showtime.

The Brit pop star’s London show at the Eventim Apollo won’t go ahead after she developed laryngitis – an inflammation of the voice box.

The decision to cancel wasn’t taken lightly, and she acknowledged fans had travelled from around the world to watch the concert.

In a statement, she said: “It is with great regret that I have had to postpone my show tonight in London.

“My team are working on a date to re-schedule the show and as soon as that is set I will let you all know. I have been diagnosed with laryngitis caused by a virus and I am physically unable to sing.

“So far the tour has been one of the greatest experiences of my career.

“I am utterly devastated, performing for you all is my favourite thing in the world. I also want to acknowledge those of you that flew in from other countries or travelled long distances.

“I am very very sad and very sorry. It’s been taken out of my hands, I have been told I must listen to the medical professionals, so that I am able to return to perform for you, without causing long term damage.

“We will know in the next 24hrs if I am able to continue with Cardiff & Brighton. All my love. Paloma xx.”

Her fans were disappointed but full of understanding.

One person commented: “Oh poor you Paloma. So sad we won’t see you tonight but hope you get better very, very soon!

Another said: “Get well soon Paloma. You were incredible in Blackpool.”

A third shared: “Sending so much love I know how hard this must be but look after yourself first always.”

Just last week Paloma admitted it could be time for a career change – just two months after the release of her latest top 10 album The Glorification Of ­Sadness.

She told Jamie Laing’s Great Company podcast: “My mum’s always telling me I need to train to be a teacher.

“She’s like, ‘You’ve had kids, you’ve done the pop star thing. Go and do PGCE [teacher training] because then you can have the same holidays as your kids’. I’m considering it. I just might put one more record out.”

During the chat, Paloma also opened up about the stress of ­releasing new albums and said she isn’t scared of being let go by her label.

She said: “Every time I get towards putting an album out, I think, ‘This is the end’.

“But now everyone’s independent, so it’s quite cool if you get dropped.”

Her first album in four years followed a difficult period in Paloma’s personal life, including her split from longtime partner Leyman Lahcine.

In an exclusive chat, Palomatold the Sun: “I was so broken, honestly — I think I had a nervous breakdown.

“I was so broken that my brain didn’t even work in that way of being conscious. It is difficult for me to remember much of it because I was so sad and full of guilt and shame.”

Since the relationship ended in 2022, the pair have been co-parenting their two children.

Paloma explained: “You have to see your ex all the time. You can’t just say, ‘This is too painful’.

“We are conflict-adverse so we were both quick to try and be amicable and, as with most things in life, if you pretend it for long enough it becomes true.”