Deep Purple singer Ian Gillan has thanked supporters following a medical emergency that forced the band to postpone the rest of its European and UK tour. Gillan posted the statement on Instagram.
The singer experienced a medical problem while the band was in Leipzig that required urgent hospital treatment. After consulting with his medical team and management about the risks of continuing, Gillan and Deep Purple decided to halt the tour temporarily.
“Dear Friends, Thank you for all the good wishes and support over the last few days, it means the world,” Gillan said. “I had a medical problem whilst in Leipzig which required urgent attention at the hospital. I was hoping that I would get the all clear to hang on until the end of the tour, but there are very serious risks involved in me doing so.”
He continued: “As a result, and on the advice of my medical team and management we have made the decision to postpone the rest of the European/UK tour until further notice. I’m very sorry about any inconvenience this may cause, but it’s in the best interest all round. Thank you for your understanding.”
The decision to postpone came after medical advice about serious risks involved in performing. No date has been set for when the tour will resume.
In November 2025, Gillan had revealed that his eyesight had deteriorated to the point that he could see only around 30 percent of what he once could. Months later, in June 2026, he told the same publication that rumors about his pending retirement due to the vision issues were unfounded, saying that he did not see how his eyesight was going to stop him singing.
Deep Purple released their 24th studio album, Splat!, in July 2026. According to the band, Splat! is their heaviest album in years, with the record being tracked live in the studio in the traditional style the band used throughout their classic era. The album features the current lineup of Ian Gillan, Roger Glover, Ian Paice, Don Airey, and Simon McBride, and marks another collaboration with producer Bob Ezrin.
The tour had European and UK dates booked through November 25 before the band was scheduled to head to Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico in December. Deep Purple was originally set to perform over a dozen more concerts in Germany, the Netherlands, France and the United Kingdom through a scheduled show in London on November 24. As Gillan stated, only the European and UK dates are affected, meaning that their December stops in South America and Mexico remain set to happen.
