‘Heartbroken’ Jeff Lynne cancels BST Hyde Park show with 24 hours to go

Jeff Lynne has cancelled his BST Hyde Park headline set (Picture: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall of Fame)

Jeff Lynne will no longer be performing his headline show at BST Hyde Park tomorrow night, it has been confirmed.

The 77-year-old was due to perform Electric Light Orchestra’s final-ever UK gig on Sunday night.

However, concerns began to mount when he cancelled a concert at Manchester’s Co-op Live just days ago due to ‘illness’.

Fans were still given hope, though, when BST organisers told Metro yesterday: ‘As reported, Jeff Lynne was unwell and unable to perform on Thursday, 10th July.  

‘We are advised that there are currently no concerns with regard to Sunday’s performance.’

Alas, those hopes have now been dashed, with a fresh statement explaining that the star has been suffering from an infection.

He was due to perform Electric Light Orchestra’s final-ever UK gig tomorrow night (Picture: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP) The Mr. Blue Sky hitmaker has been suffering from an infection (Picture: Chris Walter/WireImage)

‘Jeff Lynne is heartbroken to report that he will not be able to perform at tomorrow’s BST Hyde Park show,’ an announcement read to Metro.

It continued: ‘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.

‘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.’

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After the message was also shared by the event on Instagram, ticketholders were advised to seek refunds.

Meanwhile, in the comments, fans were gutted by the update, but urged Jeff to ‘rest and get well’.

‘So sorry to hear this. But health first, always’, commented @thelexy1968.

‘Oh gosh…..please rest and get well Jeff ????’, echoed @chaithefrenchbulldog.

‘Aw gutted but more for Jeff than anything ????get well soon’, added @hannahecklof.

Others asked for clarification on whether the other billed acts would still be performing this weekend.

Ahead of ELO’s sold-out set, it had been announced that special guests The Doobie Brothers, Steve Winwood, Dhani Harrison, W. H. Lung, Cats in Space, High Fade, Neckbreakers, Bobbie Dazzle, and Bec O’Malley would play.

No further details have been shared, leaving fans to assume the other performances will still go ahead as planned.

Other major names who have headlined BST Hyde Park this year include Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, and Noah Kahan.

Electric Light Orchestra was founded in Birmingham in 1970 by frontman Jeff and keyboardist Roy Wood.

ELO was formed in 1970 and split in 1986 (Picture: Andre Csillag/Shutterstock)

Roy later left the group and was replaced by Richard Tandy, who had been the bassist but became the keyboardist until he died last year at the age of 76.

The group, which split in 1986, is known for fusing classical music, Beatles-style pop, and futuristic rock visuals, and they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

They are behind the 70s and 80s hits Livin’ Thing, Mr. Blue Sky, Telephone Line, and Evil Woman.

Singer, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer Jeff reformed the band in 2014, and they released the album From Out Of Nowhere in 2019.

The album reached number one on the UK albums chart, joining their albums Discovery (1979), Time (1981), and their compilation album, All Over the World: The Very Best of Electric Light Orchestra (2005).

ELO also had several top 10 songs in the UK singles charts, including Don’t Bring Me Down, Hold on Tight, and Shine a Little Love.

Jeff was made an OBE in the 2020 Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to music, and he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015.

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