The Fratellis forced to postpone almost sold out 20th anniversary tour due to 'ongoing health issues'

Best known for hit songs such as Chelsea Dagger, the group were due to celebrate the 20 years of their breakthrough album Costello Music with an almost sold out UK tour.

Performances were set to begin this week, however instead of heading out on tour the band have been forced to reschedule their February shows as a result of frontman Jon Fratelli’s “ongoing health issues”.

READ MORE: The Fratellis gifted him a guitar, now teenager Brodie Brown is on his way to music stardom

The Glasgow band had sold out 15 of their 17 tour dates, including two final nights at the O2 Academy in their hometown.

They said: “With the tour so close it breaks our musical hearts to take this decision but in light of medical advice that Jon takes time to recover it’s the only sensible option.”

The Fratellis said they were “disappointed” by the delay but assured fans that the rescheduled dates would be announced soon, and that all tickets would still remain valid for any new shows.

The statement added that shortly following the band’s formation in the early 2000s that there had been “a far more serious medical obstacle that should have ended our dream there and then”, but they had “point blank” refused to accept not doing what they planned.

Make sure you don't miss a moment of breaking news from across Scotland by signing up to our free newsletter here.

They wrote: “Taking no for an answer was no answer at all. We had stuff to do. We were going where we were going. End Of.

“With a wee bit of time we’ll do now what we did then... whatever it takes to get back onstage as quickly as possible, playing music for anyone who loves our thing as much as we do.”

The Fratellis’ summer shows, including their planned TRNSMT set, are still expected to go ahead. Fans can find out more on the band’s website.