Dick Van Dyke, 87, cancels New York appearance suffering from neurological disorder

Dick Van Dyke at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in January 2013 (Getty Images)

Dick Van Dyke, the star of Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, has cancelled a public appearance in New York suffering with a “yet-to-be diagnosed neurological disorder”.

The 87-year-old pulled out of an awards ceremony at New York cultural centre 92 Street Y where he had been expecting to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for Bettering Humanity Through Comedy.

He was advised by doctors not to fly and told Entertainment Tonight on Thursday that he was unable to make the ceremony due to “fatigue and lack of sleep resulting from symptoms of a yet-to-be diagnosed neurological disorder”.

On Twitter the actor said: “My head bangs every time I lay down. I've had every test come back that I'm perfectly healthy. Anybody got any ideas?”

He later revealed he had undergone tests including a CAT Scan, MRI and spinal tap but “it showed nothing” and that he has “very low blood pressure”.

A spokesman for Mr Van Dyke told USA Today he had been advised against travelling but “is otherwise in good physical condition but the fatigue factor has become acute”.