EXCLUSIVE: Fans of Jeff Lynne’s ELO were left disappointed as thousands of ticketholders were booted from Co-op Live when the gig was cancelled last minute in Manchester

Jeff Lynne shared sad health update hours before Manchester gig axed last minute

Jeff Lynne shared a sad health update with fans in Manchester just hours before ELO’s concert was called off. ELO fans were booted out of Manchester’s Co-op Live arena after the gig was cancelled just minutes before the band were due to start.

Thousands of ticketholders were left disappointed when they were informed that the performance would not be going ahead tonight. A fan who was at Wednesday night’s gig exclusively told The Mirror: “At the start of the set he came on and couldn’t play the guitar because he has injured his hand. He sounded shaky to begin with but his singing and energy picked up and was great until the last 10 minutes of the show.

“A chair was brought onto the stage and he had to sit down to sing the last few songs, he appeared to be unsteady on his feet at the end and was helped off the stage by staff. He really wasn’t well, it was obvious to fans at the gig he wasn’t himself and it is sad to see.”

Jeff Lynne shared a sad health update with fans in Manchester(Image: BBC)

Jeff took to X to an announce that the show had been cancelled “due to illness” and that Jeff was “devastated” that he could not perform. “Unfortunately due to illness, tonight’s scheduled performance of Jeff Lynne’s ELO at the Co-op Live will not be going ahead. Jeff is devastated he cannot perform this evening,” they said.

“More information will become available as soon as possible. For refunds please go to your point of purchase,” the statement continued.

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Fans soon took to social media to share their upset, with one writing: “Tonight’s ELO concert cancelled at 8.10 pm. Jeff Lynne too ill. Devastated. Hope he’s ok. Had tickets since December.”

“THEY CANCELLED ELO TONIGHT BECAUSE JEFF IS ILL????? YOU CANT MAKE THIS UP WE’RE ALL BEING BOOTED OUT,” a second wrote.

The Manchester gig was called off last minute due to Lynne’s health crisis(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)

“Jeff Lynne’s ELO cancelling 12 MINUTES before they’re due on stage. That’s tragic,” posted another.

The band performed their the first night of their Manchester leg last night, with Jeff revealing that he injured his hand while in London. “I was in London and a taxi dashed off from where he was coming from and smashed my hand. It really hurt at the time. That’s why I haven’t got a guitar – I normally would have,” he explained.

Ticketholders for the Over and Out tour claimed they were informed the performance would not be going ahead just minutes before the band was due to take to the stage.

Concerns were raised over how people could be refunded for their expenses, after also booking travel and accommodation. One social media post claimed a couple had spent over £1,000 to travel from Ireland for the show.