The rapper Professor Green has cancelled his forthcoming tour after fracturing his neck hours before his first show.
The London-born musician, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, said he had a seizure resulting in a fall that fractured vertebrae in his neck. He had been due to embark on a tour of the UK beginning on Tuesday at the Globe in Cardiff.
The 35-year-old posted a picture on Instagram showing him strapped to a stretcher with a brace on his neck and a tube in his nose.
He wrote: “I had seizure this morning which resulted in a fall while I was packing for tour. Depending on how you look at this fall, I was extremely lucky. I fractured vertebrae in my neck and subsequently had to cancel my tour that was due to start today.
“I’ll be back in the winter with a bigger tour. I’ve had two further seizures and am lucky I didn’t break my neck. Really fucking lucky. Thanks for bearing with me.”
He apologised to fans but said he felt lucky to not be in worse condition.
Green was named the best hip-hop/grime act at the 2010 Mobo awards, and his song Jungle was named best dancefloor filler at the following year’s NME awards. Read All About It, his single with Emile Sandé, topped the charts in 2011.
He has also carved out a career as a documentary maker, with his coverage of a demonstration by the far-right Britain First group gaining particular prominence.
Green’s father killed himself when Green was nine years old and the rapper has been outspoken on the issue of suicide. He has also called for greater support for white working class boys early in their lives to avoid them being left behind at school.
Green’s spokesperson said: “Due to a serious neck injury, Professor Green has been forced to cancel his February 2019 tour. Tickets for all dates are refundable. Refunds will be made available at the point of purchase.”
