Singer-songwriter Raye has had to step back from several live commitments after being put on strict vocal rest following her Parklife set.
Gutted audiences inside the AO Arena were already in their seats to see the British star on Tuesday when an announcement was made that she wouldn’t be performing.
She was meant to be supporting SZA but posted an emotional video on her Instagram to announce she could no longer sing.
Raye said: “So I think that I’ve hemorrhaged my vocals. It’s really scary and I’m so gutted right because I was so excited to perform tonight.
“And I’m so sorry to SZA for letting you down, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to support you.
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“I’ve never had this happen before so I’m very scared. Like basic notes that I should be able to sing I can’t sing.
“So I think I’m gonna have to rest and pull out of the show tonight. Erm, it’s just life, innit. I’m really sorry, and hopefully I can rest up and get good. I’ll keep you updated.”
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She has now pulled out of her Glasgow support slot with SZA, saying that she’s been put on an intense course of steroids and medicine since her performance on the main stage of Parklife.
Raye crying on her Instagram stories. Credit: InstagramInside the AO Arena during SZA’s set. Credit: The Manc Group
Raye was one of the biggest names on The Parklife Stage this weekend, appearing just before Rudimental and Little Simz on Saturday.
Raye shared today: “I am going to have to pull out of Glasgow opening for sza.
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“I have been on an intense course of steroids and medicines since park life and nothing is working right now.
“I have been on 4 tours, non stop since January, with 133 shows scheduled this year alone and I’ve pushed myself a little too hard.
“I would never cancel shows unless I had no choice and this is the case. I am pretty devastated, I’m on strict vocal rest and just going to try and get better as soon as I can so I can resume all my commitments.
“I am so deeply deeply sorry.”
The 25-year-old initially rose to prominence after being featured on a number of commercially-successful singles, including ‘By Your Side’, ‘You Don’t Know Me’, ‘Secrets’, and ‘Bed’ – but in 2022, she decided to step out on her own to properly make a name for herself.
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She received further recognition as a solo artist after her single ‘Escapism’ reached the top of the UK Singles Chart, and also became her first song to chart in the US.
She released her debut studio album, My 21st Century Blues, to critical acclaim back in February.
Dame Sarah Storey is going on Strictly Come Dancing 2026
Danny Jones
Record-breaking local athlete and Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, is set to become the latest to join the Strictly Come Dancing annals.
With the Strictly cast for 2026 steadily being unveiled, we always keep an eye out for the Greater Manchester names in particular.
That being said, we’re buzzing to see the hugely successful Stockport swimmer turned cyclist will be swapping her Team GB kit for sparkly, sequined ballroom gowns and an entirely different type of sport and fitness.
Announced on Friday, 17 July, Storey is the seventh celebrity to be confirmed for the 24th series of the hit BBC show and dancing competition.
Having represented her country not only at nine Paralympics but across two different disciplines after switching to the racing bike back in 2005, she’s our most decorated competitor in the entire history of the Games with 30 medals to her name – 19 of which are gold.
Absolute GOAT levels.
But now the Cheadle Hulme-born is once again set to show her versatility to see how she fares on the dance floor later this year.
Commenting ahead of the new-look season which starts this September, the 48-year-old said: “Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.
“I have always loved watching Strictly, and my daughter Louisa is a very talented dancer, so to be able to learn from the best and hopefully understand even more about her world is incredibly motivating! I can’t wait to get started!”
This latest sea-change comes not long after the local legend and sporting icon officially announced her retirement from professional sport more than three decades on from first bursting onto the scene.
Thank you for taking the time to leave all the incredible messages. It’s so wonderful to read them and thank you for being the greatest supporters 🥰
— Dame Sarah Storey (@DameSarahStorey) July 9, 2026
What a career she’s had; it obviously didn’t take her long to get tired of sitting still for once, either.
She will be joined by the likes of Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer and Will Best.
In case you missed it, the upcoming edition of Strictly Come Dancing will be the first since Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman stepped down, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and pro dancer Johannes Radebe stepping in as replacements.
In other starring Stockport news, we’ve finally got more info on the final season of a popular programme filmed in the area. Find out more down below.
Micah Richards reveals dad ‘unexpectedly’ died shortly before going on air for England v Argentina last night
Emily Sergeant
Micah Richards has revealed that his dad died shortly before he went on air for the World Cup semi final last night.
The former right back – who most-notably played for Manchester City for a decade from 2005-2015, and for the England national team from 2006-2012 – was one of the BBC’s pundits providing on-air analysis last night as England faced Argentina in a highly anticipated semi final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last night.
The two teams faced off in Atlanta, and while goals came from both sides, it was ultimately Argentina that reigned supreme – securing a 2-1 win over the Three Lions.
But while much of the country is grieving the fact that football won’t be ‘coming home’ (well, for another two years at least), Richards is grieving on a deeper level.
He took to Instagram after the loss last night to share with his 1.4m followers that shortly before he went on air, his father Lincoln passed away ‘unexpectedly’ – calling him the ‘proudest parent possible’ in a touching tribute.
“He has left us all too soon,” Richards began in his tribute.
“Hwas my greatest fan. He barely missed a game my entire life. He would take me wherever I needed to go when I was a kid and he was the proudest parent possible during my professional career. It was so rare for him to not be by my side.
“I know how much watching England World Cup games means to everyone at home, and how the experience bonds families together across the generations, like nothing else.
“I know, particularly as a proud old-school Yorkshireman, dad would’ve wanted the show to go on this evening. And so it did.”
Daisy Jackson -
15th June 2023 
