Miley Cyrus pulls out of Australian bushfire charity concert due to coronavirus fears

Miley Cyrus has pulled out of the World Tour Bushfire Relief charity concert in Australia due to fears about the coronavirus (COVID-19) - causing it to be cancelled.

The Wrecking Ball singer was due to fly to Melbourne to perform at the charity gig on Friday March 13, but has decided not to travel to, “protect her band and crew”. Organisers of the event have decided to cancel the show altogether.

Cyrus, 27, wrote on Instagram stories: “Due to the recommendations of local, state, federal and international government authorities, including the Centre for Disease Control, to reduce potential health risks in response to the current global health crisis, we are no longer traveling to Australia for the show.

"I am so disappointed to not be there, but I have to do what is right to protect the health and safety of my band and crew."

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The singer - who had posted clips of herself rehearsing for the gig at the weekend - added that she is sorry and she will making a donation to victims of the Australian bushfires.

She said: “I’ll still be making a donation to help the victims of the Australian bushfires. I'm sorry to miss everyone in Australia, but I will be back soon."

Concert organiser TEG Dainty said the event had now been cancelled and ticket holders would be refunded.

A statement read: “We are very sad that Miley Cyrus has announced that she will not be travelling to Melbourne and that as a result the World Tour Bushfire Relief concert at Lakeside Stadium on Friday 13 March can no longer go ahead. All fans will receive a full refund and will be contacted by shortly.

“World Tour’s Saturday night show with Robbie Williams will still be going ahead, and we look forward to bringing Melbourne a fantastic night of entertainment. Robbie is already on his way to Australia.”

Williams tweeted on Tuesday: “I’m on board, about to take off for Australia - Melbourne I can’t wait to see you this week.”

The line-up of the Friday fundraising concert also included rapper Lil Nas X, pop duo Veronicas and DJ Seb Fontaine.

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Cyrus is not the only star to have cancelled performances due to the coronavirus.

Madonna has cancelled gigs in Paris and Pearl Jam have postponed their tour of North America.

Comedian Russell Brand cancelled a stand-up performace in Perth, Australia on Monday March 9.

Coronavirus is highly contageous and causes respiratory conditions, which can be fatal for those with underlying medical conditions. The most recent figures show there have been 110,558 cases of coronavirus globally. 62,109 people have recovered, and 3,841 have died.