Flatley illness not life threatening

Multimillionaire dancer Michael Flatley remains in a London hospital recovering from a serious but non-life threatening viral…

Multimillionaire dancer Michael Flatley remains in a London hospital recovering from a serious but non-life threatening viral infection that has forced him to cancel all dates of his Celtic Tiger European tour.

According to a spokeswoman for Flatley, he is continuing to receive treatment at the London Clinic after being admitted there almost two weeks ago when he took ill en route to London to join up with the dance troupe for rehearsals for Celtic Tiger.

"Michael is okay," the spokeswoman said. "Like everyone in hospital, he wants to get out as soon as he can but he's going to be there for several more days at least. He's overwhelmed by all the get-well messages that have come into the hospital for him."

Flatley was due to begin the Celtic Tiger tour in Belgium last Tuesday and he had been scheduled to perform up to 20 dates on the tour, including a show at the Point in Dublin on December 2nd, before finishing the tour in Wembley Arena in London on December 6th.

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However, a notice on his website confirmed all shows had been cancelled.

"Celtic Tiger Touring Inc has cancelled all European dates for Celtic Tiger starring Michael Flatley due to serious illness. Michael Flatley remains in hospital and is unavailable for comment."

Mr Flatley (48) married one of his leading dancers, Niamh O'Brien (32), from Kilbride, Co Meath, at St Patrick's church in Fermoy on October 14th. The couple are expecting their first child early next summer.

Yesterday, Mr Flatley's spokeswoman confirmed Ms O'Brien was with her husband at the London Clinic and they were looking forward to coming home to his stately Castlehyde mansion near Fermoy when he is discharged from hospital.

Barry Roche

Barry Roche

Barry Roche is Southern Correspondent of The Irish Times