George Michael has cancelled a series of shows in Australia as he struggles to recover from his major health crisis last year.
The British singer has axed nine dates Down Under and confirmed he will be seeking treatment for "anxiety" issues relating to his near-fatal bout of pneumonia and prolonged hospital stint in Austria, which forced him to cut short his 2011 European tour.
George Michael will conclude the UK leg of the Symphonica tour
Michael has offered his apologies to his Australian fans and written a note of explanation in a post on his official website.
He writes, "I have today announced the cancellation of the shows in Australia which breaks my heart. By way of explanation all I can say at this time is that since last year's illness I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience.
"They recommended complete rest and the type of post traumatic counselling which is available in cases like mine but I'm afraid I believed (wrongly) that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences that bring me such joy would be therapy enough in itself.
"Unfortunately I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be... I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December."
Michael reveals he will be seeking professional help after finishing his current British gigs and hopes to be back on the road soon.
He adds, "All that's left for me to do is apologise to my wonderful Australian fan base and to promise faithfully that as soon as I completed these shows here in the UK I will receive the treatment which is so long overdue."
The axed Australia dates include stops in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Michael is due to conclude his UK shows in London on 17 October.