June 28, 2012 22:12

R Kelly taken to hospital in Chicago after falling ill

The singer has had to cancel the start of his current promotional tour

Photo: PA

R Kelly was apparently 'rushed back' to Chicago and taken to a hospital in his hometown yesterday (June 27) after becoming ill.

The R'n'B star was on his way to New York to kick off a press tour promoting his new book Soulacoaster: The Diary of Me.

A statement released on behalf of Kelly – via Rolling Stone - reads: "Initial indications are that he is suffering from complications from surgery he had last year to treat an abscess on his vocal cords. It is unclear how long Kelly may be sidelined."

Kelly's hospitalisation has led to cancelled appearances on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and the Today show as well as the pulling of a book launch party and signing session in New York.

Kelly has also just released his latest album, 'Write Me Back'. The LP is the 11th of Kelly's career and is the follow-up to 2010's 'Love Letter'. Each physical purchase of the record comes with a postcard for fans to actually write back to R Kelly.

In addition, Kelly is working on his acclaimed 'hip-hopera' Trapped In The Closet, which he says he has written 32 new chapters for.

The singer will embark on the Love Letter Cruise in October of this year. He will take off on the five-day Caribbean jaunt - with tickets ranging in price from $999 (£645) to $2,999 (£1,930) – with onboard entertainment set to include gigs, salsa lessons and fashion shows.

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