Bruce Springsteen opens up on "monster" illness as he reschedules all tour dates for next year

13 October 2023, 14:11

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Bruce Springsteen is "your favourite rock star with a bitch of a bellyache".

Bruce Springsteen has given his fans an update on the serious stomach illness that has forced him to reschedule months of tour dates.

The Boss was due to play a series of live shows in his native US this autumn and winter, but he's been struck down with peptic ulcer disease.

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Speaking on the latest episode of his own From My Home To Yours show on SiriusXM, Bruce introduced himself as "your favourite rock star with a bitch of a bellyache", as he opened up about his condition and its effects.

“Let me take a moment and thank my fans affected by our postponed shows for their understanding,” he said.

"I am deeply sorry but this belly thing, despite my ability to laugh at it, has been a monster and is still unfortunately rocking my internal world."

The episode was Bruce's first in nearly two years, as he has been forced to take some time out from his extensive touring schedule.

The axed 2023 tour dates have all been rescheduled for between March and September 2024.

When he first axed the shows a month ago, Bruce said: "Over here on E Street, we’re heartbroken to have to postpone these shows.

"First, apologies to our fabulous Philly fans who we missed a few weeks ago. We'll be back to pick these shows up and then some.

"Thank you for your understanding and support. We've been having a blast at our US shows and we're looking forward to more great times. We'll be back soon."

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Bruce had previously cancelled shows at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on August 16 and 18 after he first fell ill.

Springsteen's last studio album was 2022's Only the Strong Survive, a collection of soul and R&B covers.

He recently released the single 'Addicted to Romance' – a collaboration with E Street Band member and his wife of three decades Patti Scialfa – taken from the film She Came to Me.