Sam Fender has cancelled some upcoming shows to "take time to look after my own mental health"

Sam Fender has cancelled some upcoming shows.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Sam explains: “It seems completely hypocritical of me to advocate discussion on mental health and write songs about it if I don’t take time to look after my own mental health.”

He goes on to reveal that he's “neglected myself for over a year now and haven’t dealt with things that have deeply affected me", and that "my friends and colleagues have been worried about me for a while and it’s not going to get better unless I take the time to do so.”

In order to get some space, Fender has pulled his next three US headline shows, plus a run with Florence + The Machine and Life is Beautiful festival. His previously rescheduled UK record shop dates have also been cancelled, with a promise he'll "work something out" for the ticket holders.

“I am eternally overwhelmed by the love and support of our fans and I hate to let you down," he reveals, "but the state of my wellbeing is starting to affect everything I do, including my performances… I refuse to go out there and not give it my all EVERY time, as you all deserve nothing less.”

“I can’t express how grateful we are to have such an awesome fan base. I’ve met a fair few of you over the years and those encounters have genuinely restored my faith in humanity, you’re all sound as fuck.”