A much-awaited concert which was due to take place next week has been cancelled after a band member suffered a serious injury.

Tears for Fears were due to perform at the Spitfire Ground in Canterbury as part of their world tour but have had to cancel after frontman Curt Smith was advised to rest after fracturing his rib.

Kent County Cricket Club announced this afternoon that the concert had been cancelled, as well as the remaining shows of the band's The Tipping Point UK Tour.

In a statement, the band said: “We have absolutely loved seeing everyone and performing for you.

“We are so disappointed not to be able to play the shows which we have been looking forward to for so long and can’t wait to be performing for you again.

"Please contact your point of purchase for a full ticket refund.”

This shock announcement comes after people were being offered free tickets for the show by seat-filling websites today.

Smith said earlier today on his Twitter page: "Thank you for the outpouring of get well messages!!

"I’m so disappointed. The last week has been horribly depressing, not knowing why the pain wasn’t subsiding & knowing everyone has been waiting to hear.

"It took a trip to London & an ultrasound to finally see the clear fracture."

Smith and Roland Orzabal, who formed the band in 1981, last performed at the Canterbury venue in 2019. Alison Moyet was due to support them on this year's summer performance.

The tour celebrated their first album release since 2004. Their first new studio album in almost two decades, The Tipping Point, was released on February 25.

They were due to play in Kent on Wednesday July 20, but Kent Cricket announced "with a heavy heart" that those who had purchased hospitality through Kent Cricket can expect to be contacted in the coming days.

After announcing they were going to go on tour, the band members had shared their excitement.

Curt Smith, said: “We couldn’t be more excited to start playing concerts again. We’ve missed seeing our friends on the road around the world and the energy of performing live.”

Roland Orzabal added: “The Tipping Point has been a long time in the making and we are looking forward to playing our favourites from the new album as well as our classics from throughout the years.”