Welsh pop star Bonnie Tyler is no longer in a coma but remains “very unwell” in intensive care at a hospital near her home in Faro, Portugal. The 75-year-old singer underwent emergency intestinal surgery in May and was placed in an induced coma to aid her recovery.
A statement on her official website indicated that while her condition is improving and doctors remain confident she will recover, the process is slow. All of her remaining shows scheduled for this summer have been cancelled, though some autumn dates may still proceed.
The update on her recovery came after the singer’s family expressed distress over “lurid and untrue rumours” circulating about her health. “Bonnie is no longer in a coma but remains very unwell and in intensive care in hospital in Portugal. Although her condition is improving it is a slow process,” the statement said.
“Her doctors remain confident that she will make a good recovery but it is going to take time. As such we are sorry to tell everyone that we will be cancelling, or postponing until next year where possible, all of our remaining shows this summer. This will affect every current show until the end of August. At present we are still hopeful that our shows in the autumn will go ahead.”
The spokesperson apologised for “the disappointment that this will cause” and hoped fans would “understand and bear with us in these difficult circumstances”. They added: “We would like to thank everyone for the huge outpouring of love and support from all over the world that we have received for Bonnie and want to tell you that she is aware of, and very grateful for, your good wishes.”
Tyler had been due to perform at the Sunshine festival in Worcester in August, along with several European dates. She is also booked to perform at Cardiff’s Utilita Arena on 17 December.
Born Gaynor Hopkins, Tyler achieved international fame in the 1980s with her chart-topping single Total Eclipse of the Heart, which spent two weeks at number one in the UK and four weeks atop the US charts in 1983. Her soulful, husky voice made her songs instantly recognisable, with other hits including Holding Out For a Hero, It’s a Heartache, and If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man).
Originally from Neath in south Wales, she was discovered by a talent scout in Swansea, and her first single was released in 1976. Tyler represented the UK in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, with the song Believe in Me, finishing in 19th place. In 2023, she was made an MBE for services to music.
