Tom Jones off the road amid family illness drama

Tom Jones has cancelled a string of concerts due to a serious illness in his family.

The legendary Welsh crooner pulled out of a gig in Manila, the Philippines, on Saturday (02Apr16) and has now pulled the plug on plans for six other gigs due to the family emergency.

Concerts scheduled for the next two weeks in Thailand, Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan and the United Arab Emirates have all been axed.

A statement published on the singer's website announced the cancellation of the dates due to a "serious illness in his immediate family" and included an apology to his fans.

"He extends his deepest apologies to both the organisers and the fans, who he is most sad to disappoint," the statement read. "Customers should contact original point of purchase for refund information."

The identity of the family member is yet to be revealed at the time of WENN going to press and Tom's management have denied it is his wife Linda who has been taken ill, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer newspaper.

Speaking to Britain's Daily Express newspaper about the unnamed relative's illness, a family friend of the Delilah singer said: 'Tom is going through a bad time but wants to keep it as private as he can.'

Linda, Tom's wife of nearly 60 years, has twice battled cancer and developed lung condition emphysema due to a heavy smoking habit.

In an interview with The Sunday Times magazine last year (15), the musician revealed his wife has also suffered from depression, saying, "I've realised she's had a depression since she was young. She's always had a touch of it."

Tom and Linda have one son, Mark, who now works as his father's manager.

After the cancellations, the 75-year-old's next scheduled concert is set to be held at London's Hampton Court Palace venue on 8 June (16).