Sam Smith Tour Cancelled? 'Stay With Me' Singer To Receive Vocal Cord Surgery

London-born crooner Sam Smith, 22, won’t be performing on tour until at least July. The “Stay With Me” singer told fans Thursday that he must cancel upcoming appearances due to a vocal cord hemorrhage. They include the Billboard Music Awards, the Hangout Music Festival in Alabama, Red Nose Day and Rock in Rio USA in Las Vegas, all taking place this month.

A doctor advised the singer to undergo suspension microlaryngoscopy surgery, which will prevent him from singing for six to eight weeks. Smith apologized to fans via Twitter, where he has 2.76 million followers.

“Dear all: I am very upset to announce I have been battling to get my vocal cords better the last 10 days but unfortunately they haven’t recovered and I am going to need surgery,” Smith said on Twitter. “I’m so gutted to be missing all the shows and events I was meant to be playing at. The doctors say I will be back in 6-8 weeks and I cannot wait to sing for you all soon.”

The tweet has been favorited more than 5,000 times.

Smith has canceled a number of performances over the past few weeks due to health issues. Most have been overseas appearances. These are the first U.S. shows he has had to cancel.

His next confirmed concert following his recovery is in Louisville, Kentucky, on July 17.

Smith gained notice in 2012 when his vocals appeared on “Latch,” a single from English electronic band Disclosure. His debut album, “In the Lonely Hour,” was the second-best-selling album in the U.K. in 2014, behind Ed Sheeran’s “X,” and the third-best-selling in the U.S., behind Taylor Swift's "1989" and the "Frozen" soundtrack.

The love ballad “Stay With Me” is Smith's most successful single to date. It won Grammys in February for record and song of the year. Smith won Grammys for best new artist and best pop vocal album.