Punk and new-wave artist Elvis Costello has cancelled his full run of European tour dates, due to surgery recovery taking longer than expected.

The 63-year-old was operated on in May, wherein doctors acted to remove an aggressive cancerous tumour. He decided to go ahead with the tour in June, but cancelled early dates in Plymouth and Southend in order to make a full recovery.

He has now decided to cancel all future dates, saying in a statement:

“Post-surgical guidelines for such surgery recommend three weeks to four weeks recovery depending on whether you are returning to a desk job or an occupation that involves physical work or travel.

It was impossible to judge how this advisory would line up with the demands on a travelling musician, playing 90-minute to two-hour plus performances on a nightly basis”.

Over the years, Costello has collaborated with everyone from Green Day to Paul McCartney, and was even nominated for an Oscar for his work on the music for Cold Mountain.

He emphasised in his statement the importance of reaching out to family and other loved ones if you doubt your health, saying:

“Take very good care of your loved ones but gentleman, do talk to you friends – you’ll find you are not alone – seek your doctor’s advice if you are in doubt or when it is timely. It may save your life. Believe me, it is better than playing roulette.”