Sam Fender has pulled out of performing at Glastonbury on doctor’s orders. 

Admitting he was “absolutely gutted” at having to cancel his set, Sam said he needed to take more time to “recover from illness”.

The singer, who won the Brits Critics’ Choice award earlier this year, had been due to play the John Peel stage on Friday afternoon. 

In a message to fans he posted on Twitter, Sam also said he was cancelling a string of other upcoming dates including one on Thursday night in Bristol.

“Absolutely gutted to share that I’ll not be able to perform at Glastonbury this weekend,” he wrote. “It’s always been a dream to play at Worthy Farm and I wouldn’t miss it for the world but the docs have told me I need longer to recover from illness.

“Hopefully we’ll get a chance to return next year. Sadly our performs at Eurockeennes, Down The Rabbit Hole and Barn on The Farm festivals next week are also cancelled.

“Massive apologies to all and especially those in Bristol tomorrow, your tickets will be valid for another rescheduled show on August 9th or you can get a refund.

“Massive love to you all and thank you for your understanding. Ps. On a slight positive, we have some new music coming out next week.”

Sam is not the only act to have pulled out of this year’s Glastonbury. 

On Tuesday, Snow Patrol also cancelled their set due to medical reasons.

Piano and guitar player Johnny McDaid has been diagnosed with a serious neck problem and advised “the only course of action is immediate surgery”.

Lead guitarist Nathan Connolly is also recovering from nerve damage, leaving the band cancelling a number of shows until the Latitude festival a week after TRNSMT in Glasgow.

Fortunately, it’s still a jam-packed line-up, with Stormzy, The Cure and The Killers all set to headline on the Pyramid Stage this year.