A Joe McElderry concert due to take place in County Durham this September has been cancelled due to safety concerns.
The South Shields singer-songwriter had been due to entertain fans at a Sunday in the Park gig at Chester-le-Street Cricket Club next weekend but instead he tweeted his fans on Wednesday to say that it has been called off due to Covid-19 restrictions.
He posted a statement which said it is "with much regret" that the decision has been taken to cancel the September 20 concert but that "we feel it is vital that we do not go ahead with this event".
All ticket holders are promised a full and immediate refund.
The statement said the cancellation is "due to the latest update on Covid-19 restrictions and recent guidelines set by the Government" and that the health and safety of the audience, the team, venue staff and the community remain the number one priority.
On Wednesday afternoon Boris Johnson announced a tightening of restrictions, reducing the number of people allowed to meet socially from 30 to six, in response to a rise in coronavirus cases.
McElderry 's show Saturday at the Mill, scheduled to take place on September 19 - the day before Sunday in the Park, at The Mill House in Birtley is set to go ahead as planned as the venue has a different layout.
The former winner of The X Factor winner recently spoke to The Chronicle about returning to live performance after months of lockdown, ahead of his Love at the Musicals show at the outdoor Virgin Money Unity Arena in Newcastle on August 23.
The show then had to be called off and rescheduled due to forecasted high winds.
It is now set to take place this Saturday, September 12 and will see him share the stage with Sophie Evans and Collabro for a celebration of musical theatre love songs.
