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Childish Gambino confirms shock stroke that caused him to cancel his world tour

He's finally shed light on the scare.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th November 2025

Donald Glover, a.k.a. Childish Gambino, has revealed that a stroke caused the cancellation of his Manchester gig and the rest of the shows on his world tour last year.

The multi-talented artist, actor, comedian, writer, filmmaker and jack-of-all-trades, who goes by the Gambino moniker in the music world, was scheduled to play a UK leg as part of his globetrotting series of live dates in 2024.

However, just over a month into the run, which kicked off in August, the 42-year-old musician didn’t just postpone the tour but had to cancel it altogether for the foreseeable future after falling ill on stage.

It has now been confirmed that the reason for this was a stroke, and also a serious problem with his heart, which required surgery.

Childish Gambino cancels all remaining North American and European tour dates due to health issue
At the time, he could only confirm an unknown ‘ailment’.

Detailing the incident to a crowd while playing at fellow rapper Tyler, the Creator‘s Camp Flog Gnaw festival this past weekend, ‘Gambino’ delivered the shocking news in a very matter-of-fact manner.

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Confirming the stroke and a hole in his heart live to the LA audience on Saturday, 22 November, Glover began by stating that he was having a really good time on the tour, before adding: “I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana, and I did the show anyway.”

“I couldn’t really see well”, he continued, “so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.'” Yep, as simple as that.

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He even went on to joke that he was copying fellow actor and singer Jamie Foxx, who also suffered a stroke back in 2023, which presented as a bad headache – one of several sudden signs of a hemorrhagic (bleeding) stroke.

You can see the clip down below.

After visiting the hospital, it was then discovered that he had a hole in his heart, sometimes referred to as a septal defect.

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The Stone Mountain-raised musician ended up needing two procedures to fix the problem and is now, thankfully, in good health and able to perform live once again.

Nevertheless, he’s not taking anything for granted after the severe health scare, telling fans on the night: “They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realise you have one; you got one life, guys, and I gotta be honest, the life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing,” he told fans.

His Manchester show at the AO Arena is still yet to be rescheduled, as are any of his UK dates, but we’re glad he’s not only back on the mend but back doing what he does best.

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For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Amazon Music (screenshot via YouTube)/Press shot (supplied)

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Manchester Cathedral to host charity Christmas carols service to raise money for local NHS hospitals

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Manchester Cathedral will be hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals.

Organised by Manchester NHS Foundation Trust Charity and now in its twelfth year, Christmas Carols in the City will take place in the spectacular surroundings of Manchester Cathedral in a couple of weeks time, and it’s sounding set to be an enchanting experience for the whole family to be involved with this festive season.

The Grade I-listed Manchester Cathedral is one of our city’s most unique buildings, with the Gothic architecture truly being a thing to behold.

Christmas Carols in the City is being described as a ‘great way’ to start the festive season in style.

Hosted by Hits Radio’s Mike Toolan and sponsored by PG Tips, performances on the night will come from local Manchester choirs.

The event is family-friendly and festive fun for everyone, all while raising funds for the Foundation Trust’s family of NHS Manchester hospitals.

Every penny raised from this year’s event will help to build and run a MediCinema on the Oxford Road hospital campus, which will aim to bring the ‘therapeutic magic of the movies’ to patients of all ages cared for by hospitals such as Manchester Royal Infirmary, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, and Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

Manchester Cathedral is hosting a charity Christmas carols service to raise money for our local NHS hospitals / Credit: Supplied

With room for wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical equipment, and supported by dedicated nurses and trained volunteers, the new MediCinema will offer 260 screenings a year of the latest releases, alongside much loved film favourites.

In recognition of the MediCinema Appeal, Christmas Carols in the City will feature some much-loved Christmas movie classics at this year’s concert too.

Christmas Carols in the City will return to Manchester Cathedral for 2025 on Tuesday 11 December, with doors opening from 7pm and tickets now on sale.

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Tickets cost £16 for adults and £10 for concessions, and you can get them here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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An Emmerdale star is kicking off a series of special guest DJ slots in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones Zak Dingle from Emmerdale DJ set Manchester

A well-known Emmerdale actor is set to kick off a series of special guest DJ slots at a much-loved Manchester pub.

In case you haven’t sussed it already, we’ll give you another hint: he’s one of the Dingles.

The Dingle Family are household famous here in Britain, whether you watch the soaps or not, and it goes without saying that when you say that name, there is always one that pops into your head first.

Now, if you’re pretending that it’s anyone other than Cain Dingle, you’re just lying; but more importantly, you can go see the man in the flesh as he performs the first of what is set to be one of several celebrity DJ sets at the popular Manc boozer.

zak dingle DJ sets
jeff hordley DJ sets
Credit: ITV/Sophie Powles (supplied)

Real name Jeff Hordley, the 55-year-old will be hitting the decks not for the first time, having previously presented a radio show at The Revolution 96.2 in his hometown, along with former colleagues Mike Joyce (The Smiths), DJ veteran and Inspiral Carpets star Clint Boon, as well as a late, great music icon.

The Oldham-born actor also worked alongside the one and only Gary ‘Mani’ Mounfield of The Stone Roses, who sadly died on Thursday, 20 November.

Passing away at just 63, the ever-adored bassist was one of the most talented musicians in one of the most influential bands to ever come out of our city, with countless people continuing to pay their respects this week.

As for Cain Dingle, a.k.a. Hordley, he’ll be paying tribute in the best way possible – through his shared love of music, moonlighting as the MC for the night at The Garden Bar over in Chorlton, once the suburban Font site.

This night will mark the start of the venue’s guest DJ series, which will feature well-known faces alongside talented local artists as part of their mission to champion grassroots music and comedy.

the font now garden bar in chorlton
Credit: The Garden Bar (via Facebook)

Recently taken over and now proudly family-run, The Garden Bar’s new owners are passionate about making it a hub for the Chorlton community, with regular events and themed nights already planned months in advance.

As for Hordley, he’s no stranger to delivering the tunes, nor doing so here in Greater Manchester, having frequently performed at the legendary Rock n Roll Bar in Manchester city centre (which went on to become South), long before his acting career took off.

He also drew big crowds to busy Chorlton club nights over the years, including Bop Local, Electrik’s one-deck sessions, as well as Fusion, cementing his reputation as a familiar face and entertainer.

More than just a dastardly Dingle after all, eh?

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Commenting on the booking, the nearby native wrote: “DJing has always been important to me. It’s something I did long before acting took over, and it’s still one of my favourite ways to connect with people through music.

“I’m really looking forward to being back behind the decks in Chorlton. I’ve got a real soft spot for the area, and it’s always had such a brilliant energy.

“I’ll be playing some of the tunes I’ve loved for years: a mix of indie, northern soul, a bit of funk… and a few surprises I’ve picked up along the way! I’ll be dedicating the night to Mani – he was such a legend and a lovely soul.”

The Emmerdale star will perform a completely free-entry DJ night at The Garden Bar from 8:30pm until late on Friday, 28 November. Guess we’ll see you there.

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Sophie Powles (supplied)/The Garden Bar (via Facebook)/ITV

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