Sam Smith to Undergo Vocal Cord Surgery, Says He's 'Dreading the Next Month'

"I have my operation booked for next week, so getting really nervous," the singer admits

Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty

Update: In September 2019, Sam Smith announced that they use they/them pronouns. This content was written in May 2015 before Smith publicly announced their pronouns.

Sam Smith fans will have to wait a while to hear new music (or anything at all) from the British singer-songwriter.

Smith took to Instagram Thursday to announce that he will be undergoing surgery for his damaged vocal cords.

He posted a picture of a black background with white text saying, “Dear all: I am very upset to announce I have been battling to get my vocal cords better the last 10 days but unfortunately they haven’t recovered and I am going to need surgery. I’m so gutted to be missing all the shows and events I was meant to be playing at. The doctors say I will be back in 6-8 weeks and I cannot wait to sing for you all soon.”

In the photo’s caption, he offered some additional information.

“Bad news. I have my operation booked for next week, so getting really nervous. But by doing this in 8 weeks time I’m gonna be able to sing like never before so it’s worth it,” he wrote. “I am so sorry to all. Dreading the next month [though], I can’t speak for THREE WEEKS after the op.”

RELATED VIDEO: Sam Smith Cancels Australian Tour Dates Due to Vocal Cord Hemorrhage

Smith’s medical saga began on April 28, when he had to postpone his Australian tour due to a small hemorrhage on his vocal cords. On Friday, fans were given a boost of hope when he wrote on Instagram that he was “ok” and “trying [his] absolute best to be back on [his] feet and singing for next week.”

https://instagram.com/p/2YilzaR2VC/

However, on Tuesday the 22-year-old Grammy winner canceled his tour dates in Japan and the Philippines and announced that he was flying to the U.S. “to see a specialist to see what to do from there.”