Aretha Franklin cancels five concerts due to 'doctors' orders'

Doctors have recommended the queen of soul to rest up

This is the first time Franklin has called off a performance for health reasons since August 2015, when she cancelled Las Vegas show because of exhaustion (Getty)

Aretha Franklin has cancelled a number of forthcoming concerts after her doctors advised her to rest up.

The 74-year-old music legend and 18-time Grammy winner announced she would be cancelling five shows.

“Due to doctors' orders I will have to cancel a few concerts for the next month or so,” Franklin said in a statement sent to Associated Press.

She will no longer be performing at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts on 26 August near Vienna, Virginia and is cancelling two performances at New York City's Radio City Music Hall. She will also not be attending "Tony Bennett Celebrates 90” on 15 September and a solo performance on 23 September.

Franklin said she expects to be performing again in November.

This is the first time Franklin has called off a performance for health reasons since August 2015, when she cancelled a Las Vegas show because of exhaustion.