The Human League band member struck by mystery illness

July 21, 2024

They were one of the biggest bands of the 80s, most famous for their iconic hit Don't You Want Me?

But concern has been sparked for synth pop group The Human League after their headline slot at the Lytham Festival on Friday was cancelled at the last minute due to a band member falling seriously ill on site on Friday.

The band, who were leading the 80s v 90s night of the festival said on Saturday the unnamed band member was 'barely able to stand let alone perform' after being struck down by the mystery illness.

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Mystery illness: Concern was sparked for synth pop group The Human League after their headline slot at the Lytham Festival was cancelled at the last minute due to a band member falling seriously ill on site (pictured Suzanne Sulley, Phil Oakey, Joanne Catherall)

In a lengthy social media post they confirmed the band member was taken ill 'very suddenly' late in the evening and was treated by on-site paramedics.

The statement read: As to the reason why we had to pull out of the event so close to our performance time there isn’t a lot we can add to what we said last night really.

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'One of the band members was taken ill quite suddenly late in the evening and was barely able to stand let alone perform so we had a very difficult and uncomfortable decision to make.

'The person in question was treated by one of the onsite paramedics and returned to the hotel to rest. We thank you all for your concern and we are happy to say they are feeling a little better this morning.

Concern:The band, who were leading the 80s v 90s night of the festival said on Saturday the unnamed band member was 'barely able to stand let alone perform' after being struck down by the mystery illness

Shedding light: A social media post read; 'One of the band members was taken ill quite suddenly late in the evening and was barely able to stand let alone perform so we had a very difficult and uncomfortable decision to make'

Update: The band posted later on Saturday: 'A further update for you all. Thanks to the medical attention they have received we are pleased to say that the band member who was unwell last night is feeling somewhat improved'

'Again, our sincere apologies for this turn of events.'

There was no word on which band member had fallen ill but it was claimed that some fans were unhappy they were told at the end of the festival rather than earlier on.

The line-up features lead vocallist Phil Oakey, 61, Joanne Catherall, 54 and Susan Sulley, 54.

Mail Online has contacted representatives for the band for comment.

The band also paid tribute to festival organisers and 80s legend Midge Ure for stepping in at the eleventh hour to fill the performance gap.

Concern; A social media post confirmed the cancellation of the band's headline performance

They said: 'Firstly we need to thank you our fans and most specifically the fans who were at the Lytham Festival, we hugely appreciate the understanding and compassion you have shown us and we are very sorry we were unable to perform for you last night. That was the first time in the bands entire career that we have had to cancel a show because of illness and it was not something we were at all happy to do, but we had no choice.

'Secondly we would like to thank the promoters of the event Cuffe And Taylor. We have seen some comments here on FB and in other places criticising them for a perceived lack of communication but we have to say that from our point of view they were utterly brilliant and when someone in the headline act is taken ill so close to their stage time there really isn’t much anyone can do about it.

'They had less than thirty minutes to sort out an alternative plan for the rest of the evening in order to give the audience the best possible experience and again we are sorry for the situation they found themselves in, clearly it was none of their doing.

Iconic: The statement continued: 'The person in question was treated by one of the onsite paramedics and returned to the hotel to rest. We thank you all for your concern and we are happy to say they are feeling a little better this morning'

'Thirdly we would like to thank the brilliant Midge Ure for stepping up and agreeing to play a longer set at almost no notice at all. We have no doubt he was fantastic and gave everyone at Lytham a wonderful performance, as indeed he always does. So many thanks again Midge, we owe you one.'

The band posted later on Saturday: 'A further update for you all. Thanks to the medical attention they have received we are pleased to say that the band member who was unwell last night is feeling somewhat improved. We have therefore travelled to Scarborough for our there show tonight and, barring emergencies, we hope to see some of our FB friends at the Open Air Theatre later.

'Again our apologies to those of you who wanted to see us last night and were disappointed. If we could have, we would have.'

On Friday the band posted; 'Just a very brief note to say we are extremely sorry that we were unable to perform for you all at the Lytham Festival tonight, it really was unavoidable we're afraid.

'We wil post a more fullsome explanation tomorrow but in the meantime we woud just like to thank you all for your understanding and the promoters Cuffe and Taylor for their kind assistance and professionalism. Again our sincere apologues, we will make it up to you we promise.'(sic)

'Unavoidable': The band wrote: 'Just a very brief note to say we are extremely sorry that we were unable to perform for you all at the Lytham Festival tonight, it really was unavoidable we're afraid'

A statement from festival organisers Cuffe and Taylor to the Blackpool Gazette read: 'Unfortunately, a member of The Human League was taken seriously ill while on site at Lytham Festival resulting in the band being unable to perform.

'They are now under the care of a doctor and we wish them a speedy recovery. “We apologise wholeheartedly to everyone but this is something completely out of our control.'

Apologies: The band have expressed their apologies but did not reveal which bandmember was taken ill

Support: The band, who had eight top ten singles in the 80s and 90s, were inundated with support after pulling the plug on the concert with fans clamouring to wish the Human hitmakers well

Get well soon: Fans wished the band well after the sad incident

The band, who had eight top ten singles in the 80s and 90s, were inundated with support after pulling the plug on the concert with fans clamouring to wish the Human hitmakers well.

One follower wrote 'Hope all is well with everyone', another wrote, 'It's only a concert as long as your all okay' while a third said: 'As long as whoever was taken ill is feeling better - that's all that matters'.

One fan said: Get well soon who ever the band member is and take care and see you again in concert. Members of the audience are not happy because of the way it was announced to the crowd, right at the end of festival.

Popular: The Human League were part of a star-studded line-up which featured Olly Murs (above), X Factor winner Louisa Johnson and 80s legend Midge Ure

He's got the moves: Olly, 33, put on a passionate performance as he jived about on stage clad in a monochrome shirt and ebony trousers on Wednesday

Troublemaker: Olly looked cheeky as he pointed at the audience and belted out his many hits

Hitmaker: Olly flashed a beaming smile as he owned the stage in Lytham

Powerhouse: He was later joined by his Unpredictable collaborator Louisa, 19, who looked stunning in a orange t-shirt and colourful patterned jeans

Excited: The Tears songstress wore her bouncy blonde tresses in a loose waves and added glamour with a slick of scarlet lipstick

'People are stating that the audience should have beeen told earlier in the festival.... Some are demanding refunds which is being refused by the festival., Just thought you might like to know whats going on.' (sic)

The Human League were part of a star-studded line-up which featured Olly Murs, X Factor winner Louisa Johnson and 80s legend Midge Ure.

Olly, 33, put on a passionate performance as he jived about on stage clad in a monochrome shirt and ebony trousers on Wednesday.

Legend: Ultravox frontman Midge, 63, wowed the crowds on Friday as he performed a stunning guitar-led performance to thousands of fans

He was later joined by his Unpredictable collaborator Louisa, 19, who looked stunning in a orange t-shirt and colourful patterned jeans.

The Tears songstress wore her bouncy blonde tresses in a loose waves and added glamour with a slick of scarlet lipstick.

Ultravox frontman Midge, 63, wowed the crowds on Friday as he performed a stunning guitar-led performance to thousands of fans

Beautiful: The star looked dapper for his performance in a chocolate suit and navy shirt

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