Aretha cancels concerts due to medical advice

Aretha Franklin is cancelling all concert dates and personal appearances until May, it was announced today.

A spokeswoman for the 68-year-old said that the singer’s doctors “have required her to do so”.

The news comes several days after publicist Tracey Jordan announced that Franklin had been discharged from a Detroit hospital following a brief stay.

Ms Jordan refused to say whether the events were connected and did not offer any details about Franklin’s condition.

One of the shows being cancelled is a Christmas concert scheduled for Detroit’s Fox Theatre on December 9.

Theatre operator Olympia Entertainment said the show was being called off “due to medical reasons”.