Pop star Olly Murs dramatically cut short his Glasgow concert last night after performing just five or six songs, telling the 14,000-strong crowd at the OVO Hydro that his voice had failed him.
The 40-year-old singer, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009, was only 20 minutes into his second sold-out show in the Scottish city when he made the unexpected announcement.
Fans who had paid upwards of £57.55 for tickets were left bewildered as the venue abruptly switched on the lights and directed everyone to leave.
It marked an unfortunate end to what should have been a highlight of Murs' current 15 Years of Hits Tour, with the singer later taking to social media to issue an emotional apology to disappointed concertgoers.
Olly Murs left Glasgow fans disappointed
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The trouble began after Murs finished performing Kiss Me Like You Mean It, when he stunned the packed venue by announcing: "This has never happened to me before but you can hear my voice is going."
According to witnesses, he told the audience: "I want to give you the concert you deserve so I can't go on. I'm going to come back, but I need to go now."
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Olly Murs left the stage after just 6 songs
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There was a stunned silence as the lights came up, with many fans initially believing it might be a joke from the usually playful performer.
One disappointed attendee told the Scottish Sun: "We were just getting into it after catching Blue as the support act. He sang five songs, then suddenly stopped. He said he'd figure something out, but before we knew it, we were being told to leave."
The abrupt cancellation left thousands of fans with at least an hour of expected performance time unfulfilled.
In a video posted on Instagram after the concert, a visibly emotional Murs offered fans a heartfelt apology.
"Glasgow, I am so sorry tonight. So sorry that I had to walk off after six songs and cancel the show," he said. "I have never done this in 15 years."
The singer explained that while performers can often push through vocal issues, this time was different.
"Most of the time, as singers, you can kind of get through it if your voice isn't 100 percent but I walked out tonight thinking my voice was great," he continued. "As you can hear from my voice, I was sounding rubbish and it is unfair for you guys to spent all that money to come and see me."
"You deserve the best show and me being at my best. I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart," Murs added.
Olly Murs is seeking medical help after the incident
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Fans quickly took to social media to express their disappointment at the unexpected cancellation.
"No way has Olly Murs walked off the stage with a sore throat after five songs," one social media user wrote, accompanied by a crying face emoji.
Another commented: "One minute Olly Murs' voice is fine and the next he sends everyone home after just five songs at a packed OVO Hydro in Glasgow complaining of vocal issues."
Some fans were more sympathetic, with one writing on X: "People moaning at Olly Murs for leaving the stage after 5 songs are acting like they've never had a sick day. I understand it's gutting, but health always comes first. Have a bit of empathy."
This isn't the first time Murs has had to cancel a Glasgow performance, as he was unable to open for Take That last May, just minutes before showtime.
The Essex-born singer revealed he would be seeking medical attention immediately following the cancelled show, with hopes of recovering in time for his upcoming weekend performances.
"I'm going to see a doctor tonight and hopefully I'll have an update for you guys," Murs told fans in his social media apology.
The singer has a packed schedule ahead, with arena shows planned in Manchester on Friday, Birmingham on Saturday, and a sold-out performance at London's O2 Arena on Sunday.
"I'll try my absolute best to make these shows possible at the weekend," he promised, adding that he would keep fans updated after his medical consultation.
This marks the second time this year Murs has been forced to cancel a performance due to health issues, having previously pulled out of a show in Dubai in February due to a throat infection.
