Morrissey cancels concerts to be with ill mum

Singer Morrissey has axed a string of concerts in the U.S. and jetted back to the U.K. after his mother fell ill and was hospitalised.

The former The Smiths frontman was on tour in the States when he received news of his mum's health scare and he immediately made plans to return to his native country over the weekend to be by her side.

He has postponed gigs in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Columbus in Ohio; Chicago, Illinois; and Flint in Michigan, which were all scheduled to take place this week.

The singer has assured fans he will re-arrange the shows, and he has vowed to resume the tour in Minneapolis, Minnesota on 29 October.

In a statement, a representative for the singer writes, "Events for this forthcoming week are postponed - but not cancelled - as Morrissey has returned to England where his mother has been hospitalized (sic) and is unwell.

"Those who have already purchased tickets for the dates in Pittsburgh, Columbus, Flint and Chicago are encouraged to hold on to their tickets and look out for the rescheduled dates. The new dates will be announced within the coming days. The remainder of the U.S. tour will be unaffected, resuming in Minneapolis on Oct 29."