'Exhaustion' forces Keane singer to bow out of festival

The Brit award-winners Keane have pulled out of their Edinburgh festival gig because their frontman Tom Chaplin is suffering from exhaustion.

The trio had been due to close this year's T on the Fringe festival with a concert in Princes Street Gardens on 30 August. But the Sussex-born group blamed an "extremely punishing worldwide promotion and touring schedule" in recent months for the lead singer's exhaustionand subsequent withdrawal.

Chaplin and band members Richard Hughes and Tim Rice-Oxley have also had to cancel their scheduled Ibiza Rocks concert on the island on 23 August and their appearance in the Vodafone TBA series in Dublin on 31 August.

The musicians, who won two Brits at the 2005 awards, have decided to proceed with their performance at Pukkelpop in Belgium today and the V Festival this weekend.

Chaplin has been advised to take a proper rest so he can get back to full fitness for more touring this year. On the band's website, he apologised to fans for the cancellations.

He said: "I am gutted that I have to take a break from touring. I was really looking forward to these dates, but if it means we can do what we've got planned for the rest of the year then I'll take the time off. I want to apologise to our fans, and I hope everyone understands. Be assured we will be back out there soon."

Dave Corbet, the spokesman for T on the Fringe, said: "We are disappointed that the gig has had to be cancelled and disappointed for the fans. But with an exceptional line-up this year we are sure that there are plenty of other T on the Fringe gigs that will delight music fans."

More than 20,000 tickets have been sold for Snow Patrol's gig at Edinburgh's Meadowbank Stadium on 25 August, making it the largest show at this year's Fringe. Muse also play the same venue on 24 August.

Full ticket refunds for the Keane concert were available from the place where they were purchased, Mr Corbet said.