Entertainment

Ex-Spandau Ballet star Tony Hadley taken to hospital following cancelled Larne gig

Tony Hadley from 80s band Spandau Ballet
Tony Hadley from 80s band Spandau Ballet
By David Roy

FORMER Spandau Ballet frontman Tony Hadley was taken to hospital last night after being forced to cancel a live appearance in Larne.

Hadley (63) was set to headline the Clearer Water Antrim Coast Half Marathon Live Lounge in the town, but became unwell during soundcheck. Despite then participating in a fan ‘meet and greet’ event, Hadley decided he was unable to perform and was taken to hospital for treatment.

It’s the second live appearance the star has cancelled this month, following his aborted headline slot at Let’s Rock Norwich on August 19, which was pulled when he sustained a knee injury in an Italian dressing room just days before the 1980s music festival.

The ex-Spandau man recently underwent surgery to repair a suspected broken kneecap and torn ligament, and was seen walking on crutches and wearing a leg brace in Larne.

Speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, the PR person for the event, Michelle McTernan, explained what happened:

"We got St John’s Ambulance. We had to do what was right by him and he was taken to hospital, and his crew have all gone with him, to stick together. We hope he gets better soon.”

Tony Hadley during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday June 5th, 2022. Picture by David Parry, PA
Tony Hadley during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday June 5th, 2022. Picture by David Parry, PA

Read more:

Tony Hadley recalls ‘great memories’ in Spandau Ballet

Gary Kemp reveals why Tony Hadley was picked as Spandau Ballet’s lead singer

Belfast singer Brendan Quinn and fiddle player Ciara Maguire replaced Mr Hadley at the event, performing a 90-minute set for the crowd.

Ruth McIlroy, who organised the running-related weekend, told the Belfast Telegraph that the audience were “very understanding”.

"A lot of the crowd heard him do his sound check, but unfortunately he clearly wasn't feeling well and he got worse as evening went on,” she said.

"Medics on site were very clear he needed to go to hospital. It is disappointing because we had a great day with the half marathon earlier, and Tony singing would have been the icing on the cake, but we have to take care of people, and we are more concerned that he'll be OK.”