Status Quo cancel live dates as guitarist Rick Parfitt is hospitalised

Status Quo have cancelled six live concerts in Europe this week due to guitarist Rick Parfitt being hospitalised.

A string of dates across the continent, starting in Croatia and rounding off in Germany via Monte Carlo and Switzerland have been scrapped after advice from doctors, with the guitarist deemed too unwell to continue on this run of shows.

Manager Simon Porter has stated that the legendary rock group did not “cancel shows lightly”.

He added: “In this instance we have no option but to follow medical advice”.

The reasons behind Parfitt’s hospitalisation are still not detailed, however the guitarist underwent heart bypass surgery in 1997.

A spokesperson for the group has said an official statement regarding Parfitt’s health and the band's plans will be released next week.

Status Quo are still scheduled for a string of dates in the UK later this month and in December.

The group will no longer play the following dates:

2 August – Pula, Croatia
4 August – Monte Carlo
6 August – Schaffhausen, Switzerland
7 August – Biel, Switzerland
9 August – Tettnang, Germany
10 August – Dautphetal, Germany