Art Garfunkel has postponed his upcoming UK tour after being diagnosed with a respiratory infection.
The Simon & Garfunkel singer had been due to bring his ‘What A Wonderful World’ tour to Watford, Manchester, Wolverhampton and London next week, beginning at the Watford Colosseum on Tuesday (October 13).
All four shows have now been postponed, with Garfunkel revealing that a visit to his doctor during rehearsals led to the diagnosis.
“During rehearsals for my upcoming concerts, I nearly postponed a scheduled appointment with my physician,” the 84-year-old said in a statement. “Thankfully, my wonderful wife, Kim, insisted that I keep it.
“As it turns out, I have been diagnosed with a respiratory infection, and my doctor has advised me to take some time to rest and recover.”
He continued: “My heart is broken that I must postpone these performances. At this season of my life, to be so warmly received by audiences and surrounded by so much love is a gift beyond words.
“Singing for you has always been one of the greatest joys of my life, and the thought of disappointing you saddens me deeply.”
The affected dates are:
OCTOBER 2026
13 – Watford – Watford Colosseum
15 – Manchester – Opera House
17 – Wolverhampton – University of Wolverhampton at The Civic Hall
19 – London – Royal Albert Hall
The venues are currently working to reschedule the performances, and ticket holders have been advised to retain their tickets while new dates are arranged.
“I promise you that I will return to the stage and sing for you as soon as my health allows,” Garfunkel added. “Please don’t worry about me. I’m in good hands, and I expect to be just fine.”
His next currently listed show is at L’Olympia in Paris on October 21, followed by a series of US dates beginning in Virginia on October 30.
Garfunkel has previously faced significant vocal health issues. In 2010, a planned Simon & Garfunkel reunion tour was abandoned after he developed vocal cord paresis, which left one of his vocal cords partially paralysed.
The duo have not performed together since that year, although Garfunkel revealed in 2024 that he and Paul Simon had reconciled after years of estrangement.
Speaking to NME later that year, he recalled the emotional meeting: “We ended years of estrangement with a lot of sweet candour.”
He added that after acknowledging he had deliberately hurt Simon in a previous interview, “The next thing I knew, I burst into tears… and then there were hugs.”
Garfunkel’s most recent album was 2024’s ‘Father And Son’, a collaborative covers record made with his son Art Garfunkel Jr.
