Deep Purple postponed further concerts on Monday while singer Ian Gillan, 81, remained in hospital after a medical emergency. The band said its frontman was stable and responding to treatment but needed time to recover. In a statement on its official channels, the band said the affected shows would be rescheduled for 2027. It said tickets would remain valid for the new dates.

The announcement followed the band's weekend disclosure that Gillan had been hospitalised. That emergency forced the immediate cancellation of two shows.

The band did not specify the nature of his condition, and asked fans and the media to respect the privacy of Gillan and his family. Promoters for the affected venues said refunds would be available through the original point of purchase for fans unable to attend the rescheduled dates.

Gillan has fronted Deep Purple across three spells, first from 1969 to 1973, again from 1984 to 1989 and continuously since 1992. His vocals defined classic recordings including 'Child in Time', 'Highway Star' and 'Smoke on the Water'.

The band, inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, has kept up an extensive touring schedule well into its members' seventies and eighties. It released the album '=1' in 2024 with guitarist Simon McBride.

The postponement adds to questions about how long Deep Purple can keep touring. Gillan has spoken in recent interviews about taking each tour as it comes.

Bassist Roger Glover, who joined in 1969, and drummer Ian Paice, who was in the original 1968 line-up, are also in their late seventies and eighties. Messages of support from fellow musicians and fans flooded the band's social media accounts after the news broke.

"Ian is in good hands and is getting the care he needs. We'll be back on stage together as soon as he is well enough," the band said in its statement.