George Michael cancels Australian shows He added that he apologised to his "wonderful Australian fan base" and promised to receive the treatment he feels he needs after he has carried out his shows in the UK in the next few weeks. Michael, 49, began his 64-date tour last year but was forced to pull out of it when he became dangerously ill after performing in Austria, spending around a month being treated in hospital there. The tour began in Prague in the Czech Republic last August and saw him play 45 shows in 35 cities before it was cancelled. Michael resumed the tour in Vienna earlier this month, donating 1,000 tickets to medical staff as a thank you for saving his life. He told fans it was "great to be alive" as he returned to the stage after also performing at the Olympics closing ceremony last month. Michael was due to play dates in Perth, Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Hunter Valley between November 10 and December 1. He last played in Australia in 2010. Michael - who celebrated his 30-year career in music in June - re-worked and re-arranged his songs for a 40-piece orchestra for the tour, which sees him perform in a number of British cities next month.