Olivia Newton-John postpones her tour after a new cancer diagnosis

Olivia Newton-John has had to reluctantly postpone her US and Canadian concert tour dates this June, after the upsetting news that breast cancer has returned.

The singer and actress originally recovered from breast cancer 25 years ago, but she found out that the back pain causing her to postpone the first half of the tour was in fact a re-diagnosis of the illness.

Olivia's team have released a statement, saying that she will be staying out of the public eye for the meantime, while her focus is on 'treatment and healing'.

The singer's support team also stated that they were 'confident she will be back later in the year, better than ever, to celebrate her shows.'

The Grease actress had been touring her album LIV ON around the US and Canada. The album is a very personal collection of songs about overcoming traumatic events, including fighting breast cancer for the first time in 1992, and the loss of her sister Rona in 2013.

Since the news of Olivia's diagnosis, messages of support have been coming in from celebrities and the public alike. Stella Parton, country singer and sister of Dolly Parton, said: 'Will be praying you make a speedy recover. Sending lots of love. You are stronger than you know.'

The Australian actress became a household name after appearing as Sandy in Grease with John Travolta, back in 1978. Before her starring role in the film, she had amassed ten No.1 singles, including I Honestly Love You and Please Mr. Please.

Olivia has since become a high-profile campaigner for breast cancer research. As well as working to raise awareness of the illness, she wrote a healthy eating book and built the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre in Melbourne, Australia in 2008.

We wish Olivia a healthy and speedy recovery.

• Olivia Newton-John