George Ezra has had to pull the plug on his upcoming Manchester gig after contracting chickenpox.
The Shotgun singer announced the news on Twitter, sharing a video from his bed.
Visibly covered in the red spots that are so common with the disease, George said he was ‘absolutely gutted’ to have to reschedule three upcoming shows.
He was due to perform at the Manchester Opera House theatre on Sunday 27 February, as well as in Edinburgh and London.
But after being struck down with ‘miserable’ chickenpox, all three gigs have been pushed back to April.
ADVERTISEMENT
George Ezra. Credit: Publicity photo
The highly contagious chickenpox infection usually affects children, but you can get it any age.
It’s characterised by an itchy, spotty rash, which blisters and then scabs over.
ADVERTISEMENT
Other symptoms include a high temperature, aches and pains, and a loss of appetite, the NHS says.
In the video, with spots across his face and chest, George said: “Hello, as you can see, I’ve got chickenpox, which I never had as a kid, and it is miserable.
Hello 👋 As you can see, I’m pretty under the weather right now with chicken pox so I’m sorry to say that I’m going to need to move my upcoming shows.
The rescheduled dates will be: April 12 – London Palladium April 13 – Manchester Opera house April 14 – Edinburgh Usher Hall pic.twitter.com/tjrJPYygCo
“It’s all of the fatigue and fever of the virus but you also want to scratch at your skin all the time.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Erm, yeah, what this means is that I can’t perform at the upcoming shows in Manchester, Edinburgh and London, which I’m absolutely gutted about.
“Recording this video is the last thing I want to be doing.
“Even on a selfish level, I’ve not performed since 2019 and I was so much looking forward to getting back up there and swining my hips, but it’s just not going tohappen.
“I hope you’re all well, and now more than ever, I cannot wait to see you all.
“I’m going to focus on trying to clear this up and get a bit better. Apologies. See you soon.”
George Ezra will now perform at the Opera House in Manchester on 13 April – existing tickets are valid for the new date.
Featured image: Publicity photo
News
Rochdale AFC vs York City is set upto be one of the most blockbuster title-deciding matches ever
Danny Jones
In case you haven’t been keeping track of the absolutely incredible story that’s been unfolding in the National League, local club Rochdale AFC and York City have put on one of THE very best season-long shows in recent memory, and it’s all set to be decided this Saturday, 25 April.
Despite both teams having surpassed the 100-point mark and only losing 10 games between them – just four in the case of current ‘favourites’, York – it’s still anyone’s guess as to who could win the title.
One of the most divisive but undeniable dramatic things about non-league‘s top division is that only one team is promoted: the one that wins the lot and lifts the trophy.
At present, the table toppers need just a draw to claim victory and wrap up what has been nothing short of an incredible 2025/26 term, but Rochdale need all three points to pip them to the post after an equally praiseworthy campaign. We can all agree it would make for quite the Hollywood ending.
We’re obviously biased towards the Greater Manchester hopeful, but it’s worth mentioning that The Dale have been just as good value for money in terms of entertainment this year.
Having most recently finished with yet another late goal in (get this) the 99th minute of extra time against Braintree last weekend, it’s basically become a habit for them over the past few months.
Mani Dieseruvwe’s winner is just the latest in a long line of similar blockbuster moments for Rochdalians, both home and away: Luke Hannant won it in the 90th minute to beat Wealdstone in the previous game, Ian Henderson netted in the 97th against Sutton United before that.
There’s also been plenty of goals post the 80-minute mark, and so on and so forth.
Honestly, there have been so many of these at-the-death moments during the 25/26 contest; here’s just one of many examples that produced unbelievable limbs in recent weeks…
York City beat these boys 4-1 in the reverse fixture, but how will they fare on the road?
Weren’t not exaggerating when we say there’s been so much last-minute bedlam from both outfits that you’d think the novelty might have possibly worn off by now – a bit Ross and Rachel, ‘will they, won’t they?’. Rest assured, it absolutely hasn’t.
Not a little bit.
Currently sitting just two points behind their Yorkshire title rivals, with a goal difference of nearly 50 to boot, in most instances, this would be far and away enough to make it over the line most years.
However, the Minstermen have had other ideas, leading the pack pretty much from day one, not only racking up 107 points but also amassing a whopping 105 goals so far – quite literally the same number of points that Jimmy McNulty’s squad have in their entirety up to this point.
Truly staggering stuff, and not just in terms of the stats themselves, but because this could still prove not enough to lift the all-important piece of silverware and secure a place back in the EFL. It’s already produced plenty of hold-your-breath level viral clips on social media:
York City’s players reactions to Rochdale’s 99th minute winner to deny them winning the league😂😂😂
With that in mind, it’s no surprise that Rochdale have sold all of their home tickets to fill the max capacity of the 10,249-seater stadium as they prepare to host the league leaders at the Crown Oil Arena.
Equally, the entire 850 allocation afforded to fans travelling from York was snapped up in less than 10 minutes earlier this month, with supporters queuing around the ground at the crack of dawn to secure their spot in what will be an unforgettable and no doubt crucial away end.
We have no idea how things are going to pan out, especially given all the players and plot points that have made this one of the most box office title sporting contests ever (you heard), but we do know that it’ll be a day that stays with all those involved forever.
The two sides have even penned a joint statement ahead of this highly anticipated conclusion, reiterating this as the best advert for the tier teetering on the edge of the professional pyramid: “This Saturday’s game brings an end to one of the most thrilling, exciting and unpredictable title races in football history.
Both ourselves and Rochdale have the chance to write our names in National League history. The National League is no longer a non-league competition. It is effectively a League 3, with fully professional clubs operating at a level equal to or higher than many of those in League 2.”
ADVERTISEMENT
They all know how much this one game means not just for the respective organisations and fan bases, but their communities, culture and native areas on the whole.
Kyron Gordon wants Rochdale fans to bring the energy tomorrow 💥 An exclusive Kyron Gordon interview features in NL72 | Promotion Race Preview, which is free to watch on DAZN with no sign up required ▶️
It continues: “We both understand how important this game is to both clubs and supporters. We both pledge now that whatever happens tomorrow, we will both continue to fight for 3UP.
“Both clubs sit on over 100 points. One of us will have to fight once more in the National League Play-Offs. However, we both strongly believe that this shouldn’t have to be the case.
“We call on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to come together immediately and resolve this issue, so that we do not have to highlight this injustice year after year.”
Rousing stuff, to be sure.
ADVERTISEMENT
They sign off by adding: “For both sets of supporters attending the Crown Oil Arena this weekend, we say thank you for being with us all season. The passion you’ve shown for both clubs has been felt across the world. This game will be seen far and wide.
“We want to showcase this league for all its potential. Keep your support in the stands, not on the pitch, and let’s all protect the game we love. Thank you! Rochdale AFC & York City FC.”
Naturally, we’re wishing all the best for Rochdale, but who do you fancy to put a ribbon on this truly unreal title race?
Daisy Jackson -
23rd February 2022 
