Written by: Alex Green

The Fall have cancelled shows in Bristol and London after the band’s frontman Mark E. Smith took ill at the last minute.

The 60-year-old Smith has been in poor health all year and his latest health scare is related to respiratory difficulties.

The Bristol Post Reported the Fall “…pulled out of their sell-out Fiddlers show just as they were due to appear on stage, due the illness of frontman Mark E Smith. The Fall were scheduled to perform at 10pm, at which time members of the band took to the stage of the 450-capacity Bedminster venue to read a statement saying Smith, 60, was too ill to perform after traveling from his home in Manchester.”

The Fall’s manager posted the following note today on social media: “Unfortunately as with The Fall show last night in Bristol (cancelled last minute) I’m sorry to say the same will be happening tonight. The London KoKo Club show is now CANCELLED. Can anyone who knows people going etc help get the word out…I really don’t want people travelling (sic) for no reason in this bitter cold. I know it’s not as last minute as last night, but it’s still last minute in my eyes. And I’m really, really sorry. I can’t think of much to say today, as all my focus is on Mark. And we are all a bit gutted. It’s been a weird year. But the man himself has a message for you all, so I’m gonna post that right here, under this… Best, Pam V, manager. P.S big thanks to the promoter for both shows, Tobi, for being a real stand-up guy.”

As for the man himself, Smith posted this: “A Message to All, to All. From Mark E. Smith/The Fall group. As I, like Pr Rupert leave Bristol with my tail between my legs, I wish to give my great apologies to everybody. This idiotic idea to do both shows was purely my idea, against the advice of Pamela and The Fall group, agent & promoter. Hope to replace shows within 4 – 6 weeks. In the interim we have eight new songs ready to go and will try and let you hear a few before Christmas.”

He went on to write: “From head patient to you, the patients. I love you all but cannot embrace you all, Mark E. Smith.”