Lionel Richie leaves the stage in the middle of the performance after falling ill during the first night of the tour

Lionel Richie, 77, has sparked health fears after he had to stop the first gig of his new tour mid-performance when he fell ill

Lionel Richie, 77, has sparked fresh health fears after he cut short his first concert when he fell ill mid-play. The singer performed at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, when he announced an unusual 40-minute break. He then ended the show.

The St Paul show was just the starting point for his joint Sing A Song All Night Long tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. After performing Three Times A Lady from the piano, he said there would be an intermission and left the stage. His band left the stage a few minutes later and one later returned to say that Richie couldn’t come back as he was feeling ill.

Saxophonist Dino Soldo, according to Minnesota Star Tribunesaid: “Unfortunately Lionel is not well. He will not be able to continue. Further information will be available.”

Fans who attended the show took to social media with their concerns for Richie’s health. Videos they shared of him performing showed him having to sit down several times during a rendition of Dancing On The Ceiling. He reportedly told the audience it was because he felt “dizzy”.

In a video on X, Richie could be seen singing as he walked around the stage before becoming unsteady and abruptly stopping to sit on the edge of a large platform. He continued to sing while sitting, but was soon on his feet again. However, it wasn’t long before he had to sing his again.

A fan reportedly told the Star Tribune that Richie said “he’s been in this business long enough” and that he had learned that “if you feel dizzy, you sit down”.

The publication also reported that some of the audience had already started to leave when the saxophonist revealed that the show would end there. Some started filing out as soon as the band left the stage, which happened about 15 minutes after Richie left the stage.

The Star Tribune quoted one fan as saying they were “super bummed”. They said: “I’m super upset. This was my first time (seeing Richie) and I’m old.”

The Mirror contacted Richie’s representatives for comment.

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