Paloma Faith cancels city show due to 'exhaustion'

The singer made the announcement just hours before she was due to go on stage

Singer Paloma Faith has cancelled a performance at the last minute, citing "exhaustion" and sickness.

In an Instagram post, the artist said she was "incredibly upset and disappointed" the gig in Southampton later would not go ahead.

She wrote: "After suffering from exhaustion and catching various illnesses from my kids, my voice has been severely affected and my range is compromised."

She added ticket holders should apply for refunds, indicating the show would not be rescheduled.

Faith said she had consulted medical professionals before cancelling the open air performance at the city's Guildhall Square.

"They have advised that I need to rest my voice," she said.

"I'm so sorry to everyone who bought tickets, I've loved being on the road and seeing all your gorgeous faces, and I'm gutted I won't be dancing with you tonight."

She was due to perform as part of the Southampton Summer Sessions series, which will conclude this weekend with performances from hip-hop artist Loyle Carner and rock band Kaiser Chiefs.

She is due to appear on Glastonbury's Pyramid Stage on Sunday, at London's Eventim Apollo on Wednesday and then at the Utilita Arena Cardiff on Thursday.

In a recent interview for the BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour programme, she discussed the pressures of motherhood, the subject of her newly-published book.

She told the programme: "I think it's really important that we don't just feel that we have to be this kind of social media-worthy presentation of what a parent or mother should be.

"It's normal to be completely bedraggled, covered in your kid's formula milk powder or... sometimes crying in front of your kids.

"It happened recently to me where I was just sort of weeping and I was trying not to draw attention to it. And my seven-year-old was, like: 'Why are your eyes watering?'"