Madonna cancels Paris gigs over coronavirus crowd restrictions

Madonna has cancelled two upcoming Madame X tour dates in Paris due to restrictions in place because of the coronavirus, says promoter Live Nation.

It comes as France placed a 1,000 person limit on gatherings on Sunday in an effort to curb the spread of the illness.

The death toll in the country currently stands at 21, with over 1,000 confirmed cases recorded.

Read more: Stormzy to reschedule Asia tour dates over coronavirus concerns

Madonna was due to perform in the country's capital on Tuesday and Wednesday at venue Le Grand Rex.

It's not the first time the pop sensation has cancelled dates on her current tour as she has also pulled out of performances due to health concerns and injury.

In January, the 61-year-old called off a Lisbon concert with fans given just 45 minutes notice.

Madonna isn't the only star who has pulled out of scheduled performances due to the virus as Stormzy, BTS and Mariah Carey are among those to have cancelled concerts over health and travel concerns.

SXSW festival, which has been held annually in Austin, Texas since 1987, was cancelled at the last minute on 6 March due to fears over the outbreak. The news came just one week before it was due to begin on 13 March.

In a statement to their website, the festival posted: "We are devastated to share this news with you.

"The show must go on’ is in our DNA, and this is the first time in 34 years that the March event will not take place. We are now working through the ramifications of this unprecedented situation.”