"On the advice of her surgeon, Dame Shirley Bassey will now not be able to perform as scheduled at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert," her spokesman announced yesterday.
Dame Shirley underwent emergency stomach surgery last month, after being rushed to hospital with abdominal pains. She is understood to be recovering well in Monaco, where she lives.
The soul star - best known for singing the Bond themes Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever - was due to appear alongside Queen, Leona Lewis, Annie Lennox and others at Hyde Park on Friday, in honour of Mandela's 90th birthday. Proceeds from the gig will go to 46664, a global HIV/AIDS campaign named after Mandela's former prison number.
"The dame is hugely disappointed and was looking forward to the show immensely," her spokesman said. "Dame Shirley has been advised not to travel at the present time, so as to aid her continued full recovery following surgery last month."
Dame Shirley is not the only one whose health worries are affecting Friday's lineup. Amy Winehouse, who has herself been mooted to sing a James Bond theme tune, was expected to perform at Hyde Park until she was admitted to hospital last week. Winehouse has been diagnosed with emphysema and it is not known whether she will be well enough to sing.
See Also
