Ailing Tina Turner postpones U.K. dates

LONDON, March 11 (UPI) -- U.S. recording artist Tina Turner has been forced to postpone two concerts in England because she is suffering from respiratory flu, her publicist said.

The BBC said the 69-year-old singer was to perform at London's O2 Arena Wednesday and Sheffield Arena Thursday but those dates are being postponed until May due to Turner's illness.

Performances last week marked the music star's first in England since 2000.

"Tina always wants to give 100 percent and has been overwhelmed by the reaction from her U.K. fans at the gigs last week," said a statement issued to the BBC on behalf of the "Simply the Best" and "What's Love Got to Do With It?" singer. "She regrets this decision to postpone and the inconvenience to all those fans with tickets but wants to make sure each concert she does is memorable for everyone."