Jeff Lynne gives health update after cancelling the last ELO shows

21 July 2025, 11:04

Jeff Lynne playing with ELO at Glastonbury. Picture: Alamy

By Mayer Nissim

Jeff Lynne reveals that he is recuperating at home and thanks his fans and crew for their support.

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Jeff Lynne has given fans a health update after he was forced to cancel the last two ELO concerts.

After suffering a broken hand, the singer-songwriter was diagnosed with a "systemic infection" and pulled out of a planned performance in Manchester just moments before showtime, and later cancelled what was due to be Jeff Lynne's ELO's farewell concert at London's Hyde Park.

"I am now at home recuperating," Lynne said in a statement.

"I was absolutely gutted to have to cancel the final two shows. I send my heartfelt thanks to all of the fans as well as my band and crew for all their support and love."

When the Hyde Park show was cancelled, an official statement read: "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.

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"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."

Previously, when the Manchester show had been cancelled, fans were told: "Unfortunately due to illness, tonight's (Thursday 10th July 2025) schedule performance of Jeff Lynne's ELO at the Co-Op Live will not be going ahead. Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening."

At Jeff Lynne's ELO's earlier shows at Birmingham's Utilita Arena, Lynne didn't play guitar due to a broken hand.

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"I've had a guitar in my hand all my life but not tonight. I was riding in a taxi in London that slammed on its brake to avoid an accident and I broke my hand," Lynne told the audience at that show.

"That's why I can't play guitar today... but nothing could keep me from you today."

At the first Manchester show, Lynne remained seated for the last three songs and the band didn't have an encore break before the final performance of 'Mr Blue Sky'.