
Jeff Lynne cancels final live show over health concerns
Lynne was due to appear at the BST Hyde Park festival series on Sunday night, closing what had been the band's farewell 'Over and Out' tour, 55 years since the band formed.
A spokesperson for the concerts said he had a 'systemic infection'. They added Lynne would not be able to reschedule.
The decision comes days after the 77-year-old axed a concert in Manchester shortly before he was scheduled to come out on stage.
He had appeared on stage in Birmingham in a home town send-off a week ago, but was unable to play his trademark guitar owing to a broken wrist, suffered during a taxi crash in London.
A statement from BST Hyde Park said: 'Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow's BST Hyde Park show.
'Jeff has been battling a systemic infection and is currently in the care of a team of doctors who have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time nor will he be able to reschedule.
'The legacy of the band and his longtime fans are foremost in Jeff's mind today – and while he is so sorry that he cannot perform, he knows that he must focus on his health and rehabilitation at this time.'
Lynne had previously described the Hyde Park gig, where he would be performing alongside fellow Brummie Steve Winwood and US rock group the Doobie Brothers, as a fitting way to end his career.
He had begun his return to touring with a concert at the park in central London in 2014.
Lynne had said: 'It seems like the perfect place to do our final show. We couldn't be more excited to share this special night in London with our UK fans.'
If he does not play in front of live audiences again, it would bring an end to a career that took in No 1 albums with ELO, which he founded with the drummer Bev Bevan and the vocalist Roy Wood in 1970.
The band split in 1986, with Lynne saying he had lost interest. Bevan forming his own band, ELO Part II.
Apart from a brief comeback in 2001, Lynne did not play with ELO until 2014, with the band rebranded as Jeff Lynne's Electric Light Orchestra along with longtime band member, the pianist Richard Tandy.
Tandy died in 2024 and Lynne carried on as the final original member of the band still a part of the group.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Endangered tiger painted at Woburn Safari Park by Leah Wood
An endangered tiger at a safari park has been immortalised in a new portrait to mark International Tiger an Amur tiger at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire, was the subject of a painting by artist Leah to the park will be able to see the painting and donate directly to the Wildcats Conservation Alliance when it is put on display at the park on 29 painter, who is also the daughter of Rolling Stones member Ronnie Wood, said: "If we can make people aware of the dangers wildlife is facing, we can inspire real action." "Art has the power to move hearts and help save these incredible animals," she Wildcats Conservation Alliance funds anti-poaching patrols and monitors endangered big to The Zoological Society of London, there were fewer than 50 Amur tigers in the wild in the 1940s, but this has since increased to Safari Park's website described Minerva as "one of the most important females in the captive tiger population in Europe".She previously reared cubs at Woburn, which have been relocated to other sites to continue the bloodline. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.


BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
East of England news quiz of the week 19 -25 July
From popular auction items to inspirational youngsters, how much East of England news can you remember from the past seven days?


BBC News
6 minutes ago
- BBC News
Black Beauty fenced in as Great Yarmouth sculpture starts to lean
A sculpture of a horse has been fenced off for safety reasons after it began to lean less than three months after it was Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) invested £330,000 in creating a sculpture trail around the town, featuring a dozen works by local, national and international fibre-glass model of Black Beauty was created by Lois Cordelia and inspired by author Anna Sewell and her famous 19th Century novel. Ms Cordelia said she was "relieved" the subsidence did not appear to be a result of vandalism. The sculpture stands opposite the birthplace of Sewell in Church Plain, near the town's minster, and was unveiled in a ceremony on 13 Cordelia, who painted the model in public view at Great Yarmouth Market Place during the summer of 2024, said: "I am extremely relieved to hear it is not a case of vandalism."It has been utterly heart-warming to hear so many appreciative comments since the piece was installed."Everyone told me how popular it has been. I very much appreciate the council working hard to resolve the issue swiftly and hope that Black Beauty will be back on full view very soon." A GYBC notice on fencing around the sculpture stated: "We are sorry this play area is currently out of action awaiting repair and maintenance."For your own safety please keep out of the area. We apologise for the inconvenience caused."The council has been approached for further details. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.