THOUSANDS of Daniel O'Donnell fans have been left broken-hearted after the Irish crooner announced he had cancelled his shows planned for Ipswich in the spring.

THOUSANDS of Daniel O'Donnell fans have been left broken-hearted after the Irish crooner announced he had cancelled his shows planned for Ipswich in the spring.

The heart-throb singer has been having problems with his voice over the past couple of months and has decided it is time to give his throat a complete break in early 2004.

O'Donnell has become a popular draw with his regular concerts in Ipswich since he first came to play in town in 1988 and all his shows have sold out.

Such is his fans' eagerness to get tickets to see the boy from County Donegal in Ipswich that they pitch up tents outside the box office days in advance of them going on sale.

But that will not be happening this year as the singer, who married last year, will only complete those dates that he is already committed to performing at and will not be appearing next spring at the Regent Theatre in Ipswich.

A statement from O'Donnell's agents, Brockwell Ltd, said: "Daniel has over the past couple of months been having some problems with his voice.

"At present he is trying to work two days on, one day off, where possible, except for those dates that are already contracted and on sale.

"As a result, Daniel has taken the decision to give his voice a proper rest at the beginning of next year for a period of three months."

It added: "This means the cancelling of the proposed UK spring tour 2004. Daniel would like to convey his sincere apologies to all his UK fans and hopes to see them in the following autumn and spring, if not this year."

The Regent Theatre said it had no knowledge of any future dates for O'Donnell to play concerts in Ipswich.

n Daniel O'Donnell's long time-touring companion, Irish singer Mary Duff, will be appearing at the Regent Theatre on June 28.