Whitney in Paris hospital, comeback concerts cancelled

US pop singer Whitney Houston was admitted to hospital in Paris on Tuesday night, where she was receiving treatment for a nose and throat infection. The diva had been due to play the first date of a European comeback tour that evening, but was forced to cancel at the last minute.

Reuters

Houston, 46, was admitted to the American Hospital in Paris' north-west suburb of Neuilly.

She was examined there at the request of the insurers underwriting her two-month European tour. Doctors advised her that she was not fit to perform as scheduled at the Bercy stadium in Paris.

According to an unnamed member of her entourage, Houston is suffering from "chronic rhinopharyngitis", a swelling of the mucus membranes in the nose and pharynx, and an upper respiratory infection.

Organisers have also cancelled Houston's next three dates in the UK, where she was due to perform on 8, 9 and 10 April.

The concerts were supposed to open the European leg of Houston's "Nothing But Love" world tour, which kicked off in Russia in December.

Her first major tour in a decade, "Nothing But Love" was designed as a comeback for the best-selling artist and recovering drug addict, who had not recorded anything in seven years before releasing her latest album, I Look to You, last year.

All of the missed dates have been rescheduled to June.

People who bought tickets for Houston's cancelled performance in Paris can claim a refund, but they'll have to purchase new tickets if they want to see her sing at Bercy on 1 June. Tickets are on sale now at between 51 euros and 89.50 euros.