‘It saved my life’: Florence Welch reveals she underwent ‘emergency surgery’ after cancelling gigs

Florence + The Machine lead vocalist Florence Welch has opened up about the health ordeal that nearly cost the singer her life.

Florence Welch performs live on stage at the iHeartRadio Album Release Party with Florence + The Machine at iHeartRadio Theatre on May 2, 2022 in Burbank, California. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

Florence + The Machine lead vocalist Florence Welch has revealed she underwent “emergency surgery” after being forced to cancel some upcoming gigs.

In a candid Instagram post, the British singer opened up about her recent health scare that required her needing urgent medical attention that ultimately saved her life.

Welch, 36, explained that her illness had nothing to do with a broken foot she sustained late last year while touring.

“I’m so sorry that I had to cancel the last couple of shows. My feet are fine, I had to have emergency surgery for reasons I don’t really feel strong enough to go into yet, but it saved my life,” she wrote in her post.

“And I will be back to close out the Dance Fever tour in Lisbon and Malaga (maybe not jumping so much but you can do that for me).”

Florence Welch shared this health update on Instagram.

“Suffice to say I wish the songs were less accurate in their predictions. But creativity is a way of coping, mythology is way of making sense. And the dark fairytale of Dance Fever, with all its strange prophecies, will provide me with much-needed strength and catharsis right now.”

Her health update comes just six days after the band revealed they were cancelling their gigs at the Zurich Open Air in Switzerland and Rock en Seine festival in Paris this past weekend upon “medical advice”.

“We appreciate your understanding and patience,” read a statement shared on Instagram Stories.

Welch performs says the surgery saved her life. Picture: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartRadio

This is not the first time the band had to postpone gigs due to medical issues.

In November last year, they cancelled the remainder of their UK tour after Welch broke her foot.

“I’m so sorry to say that after an X-ray it seems I was dancing on a broken foot last night,” she wrote on Instagram, following their performance at the O2 Arena in London.

“It is not in my nature to postpone a show, and certainly not a UK tour, but I’m in pain and as dancers know, dancing on an injury is not a good idea. And have been told not to perform to avoid further damage,” she added.

“I’m heartbroken as the Dance Fever tour has been my favourite show we have ever put on. The communion with you. Your beautiful faces shining.

Welch and the band have had to cancel gigs in the past due to medical issues.

“I love you so much, and I’m so sorry to anyone who is disappointed. My heart is aching. I can’t wait to be back on my feet and back in your arms.”

Back in 2012, the band also cancelled a pair of festival gigs to avoid permanently damaging their lead singer’s voice.

“I’ve sustained a vocal injury and been told I cannot sing for a week,” Welch wrote in a statement at the time. “Seriously I felt something snap, it was very frightening.”

“I’m so sorry to all the fans, I was desperate to still perform, but was told without question not to, so as not to do permanent damage. I hope I can make it up to you in the future, have an amazing time. Yours croakily, Florence.”

Originally published as ‘It saved my life’: Florence Welch reveals she underwent ‘emergency surgery’ after cancelling gigs