Singer cancels all engagements and is advised to 'rest for several days' before kicking off his UK tour
• James Arthur counts cost of offensive lyrics as iTunes offers refunds on album – more news here
James Arthur has been diagnosed with acute exhaustion and ordered by his doctor to rest for a week ahead of his UK tour.
The singer has cancelled all engagements during this period, according to a statement issued by his representatives.
"James would like to apologise to his fans for any disappointment caused to them by these cancellations and he hopes to get back to full health as soon as possible," said his management.
The news follows a string of events that have resulted in the former X Factor contestant becoming the target of severe criticism.
On Saturday, Arthur uploaded a "diss rap" track entitled Hey Mickey that caused widespread opprobrium – not least on the part of comedians Matt Lucas and Frankie Boyle – because the lyrics were deemed homophobic.
The controversy intensified – despite the 25-year-old issuing an apology – when former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan tweeted her disapproval. Spraggan posted an alleged screen shot of a text from Arthur, which read: "Lucy what are you playing at having digs at me? Is it coz you're a gay rights activist you had to say something as extreme as 'people kill themselves every day over words like queer' are you for real?"
On Friday, it emerged that iTunes had issued a disgruntled purchaser of the singer's eponymous debut album a full refund. The buyer was offended by the lyrics on Hey Mickey.
Arthur's tour is scheduled to begin with a performance on 29 November at Newcastle upon Tyne's Metro Radio Live 2013 event.