Disappointed fans slam BST Hyde Park for cancelling final day as ELO pull out of headline slot amid fears for Jeff Lynne's health
Lynne, 77, who billed to play on Sunday alongside his band for their last concert together, decided against performing on doctors' advice due to a 'systemic infection'.
A statement from organisers said on Saturday evening: 'Following the news that Jeff Lynne's ELO will not be able to perform at BST Hyde Park due to medical reasons, Sunday 13 July's event will sadly be cancelled.
'Ticket holders will be refunded and contacted directly by their ticket agent with further details.'
It added: 'Tonight's performance marks the final night of an incredible edition of BST Hyde Park and we look forward to seeing everyone next year.'
An earlier statement from BST 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.'
However, despite several fans wishing Jeff well, others have slammed BST Hyde Park for cancelling the festival all together as they have spent hundreds of pounds on travel and hotels.
The band were due to be joined at BST Hyde Park by Californian rockers The Doobie Brothers, English songwriter Steve Winwood and Dhani Harrison, the son of late Beatles lead guitarist George Harrison.
Other acts on the bill included W.H. Lung, Cats in Space, High Fade, Neckbreakers, Bobbie Dazzle and Bec O'Malley.
'Disappointed' fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to describe the festival as an 'absolute disgrace' for cancelling the entire day.
They wrote: 'Absolutely gutted that my birthday treat tomorrow to see ELO's last ever concert at BST Hyde Park has been cancelled due to Jeff Lynne's ill health, was so looking forward to it. Wishing Jeff Lynne a full and speedy return to full health;
'So sad about Jeff Lynne's ELO cancellation! But would love to see @TheDoobieBros @SteveWinwood @DhaniHarrison do solo shows tomorrow in London! Who's with me? Turn this disappointment into multiple amazing gigs!;
'Disappointed' fans took to X - formerly known as Twitter - to describe the festival as an 'absolute disgrace' for cancelling the entire day
'Shame you couldn't give a partial refund and have the day as planned. I'd have sang all the ELO songs for you as well as thousands of others;
'Tragic news was lucky enough to see them in B'ham last Saturday get well soon;
'This is disgusting for the people that have tickets,booked accommodation and travel. I wasn't going but feel bad for those that were and don't see why whole event should be cancelled cos of one band not being able to do it. Maybe give the other bands longer slots??;
'Fans coming from all over the world and it's them that suffer. Jeff Lynnes health is priority but that doesn't mean the whole even should be cancelled. Absolute disgrace;
'Absolutely gutted. Was flying in from Jersey, had hotel booked and would have been my first concert. What an adventure. Unlikely will ever get the chance to see them perform live again. But I wish Jeff a speedy recovery. I'm sure he's just as devastated;
'So disappointing as we have been looking to this for so long. But the main thing is to wish Jeff a full and speedy recovery;
'I can't believe they cancelled the whole thing;
'Gutted Get well soon Jeff;
'I totally understand that Jeff's health is paramount and wish him all the best for the treatment he is receiving. Great that we are getting tickets refunded but what about the additional £500 it has cost me in flights, accommodation and travel. Prob never see that again'.
ELO's latest cancellation comes after the rock band, best known for their hit song Mr Blue Sky, pulled out of a performance at Manchester's Co-Op Live on July 10 at the last minute.
The band cancelled less than an hour before they were due to take to the stage, with thousands of fans already seated in the venue.
The musician, best known for hit Mr Blue Sky, revealed on X that he was battling a 'systemic infection' and said that doctors 'have advised him that performing is simply not possible at this time'
They were told that the performance would not go ahead as planned due to 'illness.'
The band posted on social media: 'Unfortunately due to illness tonight's (Thursday 10th July 2025) scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Co-Op Live will not going ahead.
'Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening.
The band was formed in Birmingham in 1970 by Lynne, multi-instrumentalist Roy Wood and drummer Bev Bevan, and first split in 1986.
They are known for fusing classical music, Beatles-style pop and futuristic rock visuals, and were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2017.
ELO are best known for their 1970s hits Livin' Thing, Mr Blue Sky, Telephone Line and Evil Woman.
Singer, multi-instrumentalist and record producer Lynne resurrected the band in 2014.
On September 14 that year, he teamed up with the BBC Concert Orchestra to play some of the band's greatest hits at a comeback concert at BST Hyde Park.
The band released the album From Out Of Nowhere in 2019 and it soared to number one on the UK albums charts, joining Discovery (1979), Time (1981) and their compilation album, All Over the World: The Very Best Of Electric Light Orchestra (2005).
ELO also had a number of top 10 songs in the UK singles charts, including Don't Bring Me Down, Hold On Tight and Shine A Little Love.
Lynne was made an OBE in the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours list for services to music, and received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2015.
The BST Hyde Park concert series runs throughout June and July and attracts some of the biggest acts in the industry.
The BST Hyde Park concert series has attracted some huge names this summer, including Olivia Rodrigo, who headlined on June 27 and belted out her biggest hits in a jaw-dropping custom 3.1 Phillip Lim crystal fringe embellished bodysuit
Shows in recent weeks have included Olivia Rodrigo, Zach Bryan, Noah Kahan and Neil Young.
Pop superstar Sabrina Carpenter delighted British fans with two back-to-back shows last weekend.
The 26–year–old singer took to the Great Oak Stage at the London music festival on June 5 and 6.
Sabrina dazzled a crowd of 65,000 people with her tongue–in–cheek lyrics, choreography, and glitzy costumes, as she belted through her hit songs.
On the Sunday the audience was given a special treat as she brought out legendary pop rockers Duran Duran's lead singer, Simon Le Bon, and bass guitarist John Taylor to sing Hungry Like The Wolf.
Saturday night's headliner was US soul piano legend Stevie Wonder, supported by acts including Ezra Collective, Thee Sacred Souls and Corinne Bailey Rae.
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