Bassey Scraps Mandela Concert Performance

DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY has been forced to pull out of a performance at Nelson Mandela's 90th birthday concert in London this week (27Jun08) - after failing to recover in time from a stomach operation last month (May08).

The Big Spender singer, 71, underwent emergency surgery in Monaco, France after suffering from abdominal pains.

She has been resting at her Monaco home for the last few weeks, where her spokesman Paul Carey said she was "on the road to a full recovery".

But Bassey has now cancelled her slot at the 46664 concert, which will pay tribute to the former South African president, because she has been advised against travelling in her condition.

Carey says, "On the advice of her surgeon, Dame Shirley Bassey will now not be able to perform as scheduled at the Nelson Mandela 46664 concert.

"Dame Shirley has been advised not to travel at the present time, so as to aid her continued full recovery following surgery last month."

The 46664 concert is due to take place in London's Hyde Park on Friday (27Jun08).