Celine Dion
LONDON, ENGLAND – JULY 05: Celine Dion performs live at Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Hyde Park at Hyde Park on July 05, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/Redferns)

Concertgoers have been left heartbroken to learn Celine Dion has had to cancel the remainder of her upcoming North American tour due to illness.

According to a statement released across the weekend, the 53-year-old is being treated for “severe and persistent muscles spasms which are preventing her from performing, and her recovery is taking longer than she hoped.”

“I was really hoping that I’d be good to go by now, but I suppose I just have to be more patient and follow the regimen that my doctors are prescribing,” Dion says in the statement.

Celine Dion
PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 02: Celine Dion, is seen outside Alexandre Vauthier show during Paris Fashion Week – Haute Couture Fall Winter 2019 – 2020 on July 02, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Claudio Lavenia/Getty Images)

Dion had completed 52 shows of her “Courage World Tour” when the coronavirus pandemic hit in March of 2020 forcing her to reschedule the remaining 19. Any concert on and between March 9, 2022 and April 22, 2022 has been cancelled.

“There’s a lot of organising and preparation that goes into our shows, and so we have to make decisions today which will affect the plans two months down the road,” Dion said.

“I’ll be so glad to get back to full health, as well as all of us getting past this pandemic, and I can’t wait to be back on stage again. Meanwhile, I’ve been very touched by all the words of encouragement that everyone’s been sending to me on social media. I feel your love and support and it means the world to me.”

Celine Dion
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 07: Celine Dion seen on the streets of Lower Manhattan on March 7, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by James Devaney/GC Images)

It’s not the first time Dion has had to postpone shows due to the spasms. In October of 2021, she had to move concert dates. The icon’s older sister, Claudette Dion, 73, spoke to French magazine, Voici, at the time about how her sister was managing.

“What’s happening to her is sad,” Claudette said.

“But it’s not serious, otherwise she would have told me. Celine always confides in me and asks for advice when something is wrong. I know she’s in good spirits.”

Celine Dion
CANADA – MARCH 31: Celine Dion celebrates her 27th anniversary In Canada On March 31, 1995-With her sister Claudette. (Photo by Michel PONOMAREFF/PONOPRESSE/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)

The European leg of the “Courage world Tour” is still set to go ahead with the first show in Birmingham in England on May 25, 2022.

Those who purchased tickets via authorised outlets to the cancelled shows will be automatically refunded to the credit card used for purchase. There is more information here. 

Just two days ago, with this cancellation announcement probably weighing on her, Dion posted a message to her late husband, Rene Angelil, to her Instagram. After 21 years of marriage and a long battle with throat cancer Angelil died in the couple’s Las Vegas home in January 2016 at the age of 73.

“I would be lying if I said I’m fine, I think of you at least a hundred times, cause in the echo of my voice I hear your words just like you’re there… I miss you,” Dion wrote.

Celine Dion
HOLLYWOOD, CA – FEBRUARY 27: Singer Celine Dion (R) and husband Rene Angelil arrive at the 83rd Annual Academy Awards held at the Kodak Theatre on February 27, 2011 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Steve Granitz/WireImage)

The news is devastating to North American-based fans who were really looking forward to this concert after a hard year for the country. In the interim (because we’re sure she’ll make it up to her fans), here is footage of Dion singing a terrific medley of her greatest hits. This footage was taken from a concert in Boston in 2020. Hit full screen mode and turn up the volume.