Deep Purple Postpone Rest Of European And UK 2026 Tour As Ian Gillan Shares Health Update

Deep Purple have postponed the remainder of their European and UK 2026 tour after singer Ian Gillan suffered a medical problem while the band were in Leipzig.

The news came in a personal update from Gillan himself, issued today, Monday 2 November, just days after the band called off their shows in Leipzig and Hamburg at short notice.

In his message to fans, Gillan explained that he had a medical problem in Leipzig that needed urgent attention at the hospital.

He said he had been hoping to get the all-clear to carry on until the end of the tour, but that there were “very serious risks involved” in doing so. As a result, and on the advice of his medical team and management, the decision has been made to postpone the rest of the European and UK 2026 tour until further notice.

No new dates have been announced, and no further details about his condition have been shared. Gillan opened his update by thanking fans for their messages over the past few days. “Thank you for all the good wishes and support over the last few days…it means the world,” he wrote.

He went on to apologise to everyone affected by the change of plans. “I’m very sorry about any inconvenience this may cause, but it’s in the best interest all round,” he said.

He signed off simply: “Thank you for your understanding. Cheers, IG.”

The announcement follows the band’s statement on Saturday 31 October, when Deep Purple postponed that night’s show at the QI Arena in Leipzig and the following evening’s concert at the Sporthalle in Hamburg because of a medical emergency involving Gillan.

At that point the band said tickets for the two German shows would remain valid for rescheduled dates. Today’s update does not give any further information about tickets for the other postponed dates.

Fans holding tickets for the remaining European and UK shows should keep an eye on official updates from the band and their ticket sellers for news on what happens next. Updates are expected on the band’s official tour page.

Deep Purple formed in Hertford, England, in 1968 and are widely regarded as one of the founding bands of hard rock and heavy metal.

Ian Gillan joined the group in 1969, alongside bassist Roger Glover, in the line-up that fans know as Mark II. That line-up recorded some of the band’s best known albums, including Deep Purple In Rock in 1970, Fireball in 1971 and Machine Head in 1972.

Machine Head topped the UK albums chart and features “Smoke On The Water”, whose opening riff remains one of the most recognisable in rock music, as well as live favourite “Highway Star”.

The Mark II line-up also cemented its live reputation with Made In Japan, the double live album recorded during the band’s 1972 tour of Japan.

Gillan’s vocals on songs such as “Child In Time” helped to define the band’s sound in the early 1970s, and his powerful range made him one of the most influential rock singers of his generation.

He left Deep Purple in 1973, and in the years that followed he led his own bands and spent a period as the singer with Black Sabbath, recording the Born Again album with them in 1983.

The Mark II line-up reunited in 1984 for the album Perfect Strangers. Gillan left again in 1989 before returning in 1992, and he has fronted the band ever since.

Earlier in his career, Gillan also sang the role of Jesus on the original 1970 concept album of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 1970 the Mark II line-up reached number two on the UK singles chart with “Black Night”, which became one of their signature songs. Drummer Ian Paice is the only member to have played in every line-up of Deep Purple since 1968.

Deep Purple were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016, recognising a career that has spanned more than five decades.

MNPR Magazine sends Ian Gillan our very best wishes for a full and speedy recovery, and will share any news on rescheduled dates as soon as it is announced.

For the latest updates, visit Deep Purple’s official website.