Barry Manilow has issued a heartfelt apology to his fans after a "very depressing visit" with his surgeon forced him to postpone several tour dates for a second time amid his lung cancer recovery.
The 82-year-old revealed in late December that doctors had discovered a cancerous spot on his left lung, which he said would be surgically removed, and despite his ongoing recovery, he still can't "sing more than three songs in a row."
The "Copacabana" singer shared a statement on Instagram on Friday and said even though he has been "using the treadmill three times a day," his doctor advised his "body isn't ready" to perform a 90-minute set.
His statement read: "Hi everyone, Barry here. Just got home from visiting the surgeon. Very depressing visit.
"I told him that I have been using the treadmill three times a day (I have) but that I still couldn't sing more than three songs in a row before I had to stop.
"But I was sure that I would be able to do the Arena shows in a few weeks. He shook his head. He looked at me and then he looked at the floor."
© Getty Images"He said, 'Barry, you won't be ready to do a 90 minute show. Your lungs aren't ready yet. You're in great shape considering what you've been through, but your body isn't ready. You shouldn't do the first Arena shows. You won't make it through."
Barry admitted that even though he wanted to go back on tour, his body knew he "wasn't ready."
He apologized to his fans and informed them that he would have to reschedule performances from February 27 to March 17, but his surgeon predicted he "could likely do the Vegas shows at the very end of March and the second batch of Arena shows beginning in April."
He added: "I'm So, SO sorry I have to reschedule some of these first Arena shows. Again! But when I do come back, I will COME BACK!!!
© Getty Images"In the meantime, and once again, thank you for all your wonderful notes and phone calls of support. The doctor said that my body had been through hell and that it needed time to heal. So, I'm going back to healing."
The singer initially had Arena shows booked for January, and on February 5, he postponed a week-long run of shows at his residency at the Westgate Las Vegas scheduled for February 12-21.
© Getty ImagesBarry revealed in December that his cancer was detected after his doctor ordered an MRI after he suffered two prolonged bouts of bronchitis. The scan ultimately revealed the spot on his lung, which was found at an early stage.
At the time, the hitmaker stressed that he would not require chemotherapy or radiation, just "chicken soup and I Love Lucy reruns."
