Beatles' Ringo Starr reveals he does have COVID as he cancels more shows

Watch: Ringo Starr puts tour on hold following Covid-19 diagnosis

Sir Ringo Starr has tested positive for COVID-19 and cancelled five more shows on his North American tour.

The 82-year-old former Beatles drummer had previously issued a statement denying he had coronavirus, after cancelling a show just hours before it was about to begin due to an undisclosed medical condition that affected his voice.

A spokesman said in a statement: "Ringo hopes to resume as soon as possible and is recovering at home. As always, he and the All Starrs send peace and love to their fans, and hope to see them back out on the road soon."

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Sir Ringo's representative told Rolling Stone magazine that he was diagnosed with COVID on Monday, having tested negative at home on Saturday.

The ex-Beatle and his All-Star have cancelled five shows cancelled in Canada, in Winnipeg, Saskatoon and Lethbridge, Abbotsford and Penticton.

They are due to resume the tour on 11 October in Seattle.

The Octopus's Garden singer called off a performance at the Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan on Saturday 1 October 2022 just a few hours before it was scheduled to begin, with fans offered refunds.

A statement issued through the Four Winds Casino said: "Ringo is sick and was hoping he could carry on, but it has affected his voice, hence the late decision. Ringo does not have COVID."

The band then postponed their Sunday night gig at the Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Minnesota.

A statement shared by Mystery Lake Casino did not reveal what was making Sir Ringo unwell, but again said: "Ringo does not have COVID-19."

In June 2022 Sir Ringo postponed his North American tour after Toto’s Steve Lukather, 64, and Average White Band’s Edgar Winter, 75 - both members of his All-Starr band - tested positive for coronavirus.

The former Beatle formed his All-Starr Band in 1989 and for the last 33 years has toured with different line-ups around the world.

The other current members are Men at Work’s Colin Hay, 69, and Average White Band’s Hamish Stuart, 72.

The tour is due to end on 20 October in Mexico City.

Sir Ringo and his second wife Barbara Bach, who he married in 1981, have homes in Surrey, Los Angeles and Monte Carlo.

The drummer rose to fame with The Beatles after replacing original member Pete Best in 1962.

Read more: Ringo Starr celebrates 40 years of marriage to wife Barbara Bach

He is also known to many as the narrator of children's TV show Thomas & Friends, about Thomas The Tank Engine.