British pop singer George Michael cancelled his Australian tour on Sunday revealing that he was battling "major anxiety" after a severe bout of pneumonia that he says almost killed him.
The 49-year-old said he was heartbroken to have to cancel the Australian leg of his current Symphonica tour, which was postponed last year due to his pneumonia and was due to kick off in Perth on November 10.
"Since last year's illness I have tried in vain to work my way through the trauma that the doctors who saved my life warned me I would experience," Michael said in a statement from his promoters.
"I was wrong to think I could work my way through the major anxiety that has plagued me since I left Austria last December.
"As soon as I complete these shows here in the UK I will receive the treatment which is so long overdue."
Michael said doctors had recommended complete rest and counselling but he had "believed wrongly that making music and getting out there to perform for the audiences... would be therapy enough in itself".
Though he said his voice had recovered completely, adding that "I truly think that some of my recent performances have been my best ever", Michael said there had been a heavy psychological toll.
"Unfortunately I seriously underestimated how difficult this year would be," the singer said.