British grime star Stormzy said on Thursday he will reschedule the Asia leg of his current world tour due to the deadly new coronavirus epidemic.

The rapper , real name Michael Omari , told his social media followers he had “ regrettably ” decided to postpone his shows on the continent starting next month due to the outbreak .

The 26-year -old had been set to perform in Malaysia , Singapore , Japan , China , South Korea and Indonesia in March and April , as part of his “ Heavy is the Head ” tour
“ I was seriously looking forward to bringing the # HITH world tour to Asia and playing some epic sold out shows , ” Stormzy wrote on Instagram .

“ But due to the ongoing health and travel concerns surrounding the Coronavirus , I’ m regrettably having to reschedule this leg .

“ Information regarding the rescheduled dates will follow in due course … I promise I ’ ll be back , ” he added.

Concern is growing that the COVID -19 epidemic, as the World Health Organisation has formally named it , is worsening .

China , the source of the outbreak , said Thursday the official death toll had spiked dramatically .
The virus has so far claimed 1 , 367 lives and infected nearly 60, 000 people, the vast majority in China , as it has spread around the globe .

Stormzy ’ s announcement came after the Mobile World Congress — the world ’ s biggest phone show — was cancelled due to concerns over the outbreak .
Meanwhile , US alt -rockers, The Pixies, have also axed several shows in China this month and in March , but are still touring Japan .

Britain’ s Foreign Office is currently advising against all but essential travel to mainland China .
Stormzy kicked off his world tour in Dubai last week and is next set to perform in Berlin on February 20.

Source:- AFP