Niall Horan is apologizing to fans who were anxious to get up close and personal with him in Toronto next week.
Horan’s iHeartRadio Secret Session on March 19 is one of several events postponed due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, which the World Health Organization declared a pandemic on Wednesday.
“All I can say is I’m very sorry,” the singer said in an Instagram Story. “Everyone’s safety and health is paramount here and we have to do what the authorities say and that’s just it, really.”
Horan had several appearances scheduled in different countries to promote the March 13th release of his album Heartbreak Weather. There has been no word about whether his upcoming tour with Lewis Capaldi – which includes a May 6 show at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena – will be affected by COVID-19.
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On Tuesday, contest winners from across Canada were notified that his highly anticipated iHeartRadio Secret Session was postponed.
“The health and safety of our listeners, staff and talent is always our top priority,” iHeartRadio Canada explained, in a statement.
On social media, fans were understanding. “Thank you for thinking of the safety of everyone involved,” one person tweeted. Another wrote: “Sorry to hear that but everyone’s health is the most important.”
The music industry has been hit hard by COVID-19 with several acts cancelling or postponing shows or part of tours and major festivals like Ultra and Coachella being postponed.