Olivia Newton-John forced to pull out of Cambridge Folk Festival as breast cancer returns

The Australian icon has cancelled her appearance at the 2017 Cambridge Folk Festival following the return of the disease she initially beat 25 years ago.

The 68-year-old star of Grease, who was born in Cambridge before moving to Australia as a child, has pulled out of a number of upcoming performances in order to undergo a course of treatment. She expects to be back on stage later in the year.

Last week, the four-time Grammy award-winner withdrew from a series of events for the upcoming tour, citing “severe back pain”.

Cambridge Live, organisers of the Cambridge Folk Festival, said in a statement:

“Unfortunately LIV ON featuring Olivia Newton-John have had to cancel their performance at this year’s Festival owing to the recently announced return of a previous illness.

“We wish Olivia a full and speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming her to a Festival at some point in the future”.

The singer herself said: “I decided on my direction of therapies after consultation with my doctors and natural therapists and the medical team at my Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia”.

A spokesman for Cambridge Live told the Cambridge Independent: “We will be announcing a replacement shortly”.

cambridgelivetrust.co.uk