THE SHOW CAN'T GO ON

Céline Dion has pulled the plug on her tour citing ongoing health issues, but the Canadian singer is working hard to regain her strength

- MAXINE PETERS

IT’S easy to rattle off the statistics when it comes to the high priestess of pop’s performances: 808 concert tours and 1 141 residency shows over a prolific 30-year career.

Performing live on stage was what she loved best – but she may never feel that thrill again.

It’s likely Céline Dion will never perform live again, her cherished con- cert career cut short by a debilitating condition that has left her a shadow of herself.

The recent announcement that the 55-year-old star was pulling the plug on her Courage World Tour once and for all has devastated her fans – but no one is more heart- broken than Céline herself.

“I’m so sorry to disappoint you once again,” she said. “I’m working really hard to build back my strength, but touring can be very difficult even when you’re 100%.

“It’s not fair to keep postponing the shows and even though it breaks my heart, it’s best that we cancel everything now until I’m ready to be back on stage again.

“I want you all to know I’m not giving up . . . and I can’t wait to see you again!”

Yet her health has deteriorated to such an extent it’s hard to imagine when, if ever, she’ll be strong enough to withstand the stress and strain of live performances.

Stiff person syndrome, the rare neurological condition she’s been diagnosed with, is taking its toll on the increasingly frail pop diva, and her world tour has been blighted by frequent postponements.

Now it’s been confirmed that all 42 dates for the 2023 and 2024 Courage tour, which included shows in London, Paris, Amsterdam, Berlin and Zurich, have been scrapped.