Updated: 18.58

*Note the rescheduled dates have been changed since the first announcement Sunday morning. Promoters says these are the final and confirmed dates.

AMERICAN SINGER LIONEL Richie has said he is disappointed over the rescheduling of his Irish shows.

The 63-year-old has postponed next week’s Dublin and Belfast gigs until November because of illness.

Aiken Promotions said that doctors confirmed that he needed to respond to treatment and should make an excellent recovery.

Its statement said:

Lionel is extremely disappointed that he has had to reschedule his Irish appearances at the O2 in Dublin and the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. He always receives the warmest of welcomes in Ireland and that was why he had wanted to start his tour here – he is very much looking forward to getting back later in the year to perform in Dublin and Belfast.

The 24 September Dublin concert has been rescheduled to 10 December. The 26 September Belfast date has been changed to 11 December.

Ticket holders are asked to retain their tickets for the new dates in each city.