Jasper Carrott postpones tour after revealing he needs major surgery

Jasper Carrott is postponing his tour as he’s having a heart bypass operation.

The 72-year-old comedian is going into hospital in August for the surgery and will need three months to recover.

Unlike many gigs cancelled for “unforeseen circumstances” with no further information given, Jasper has taken the trouble to fully explain why he can’t do the dates.

He told fans: “Sadly, I have been told very recently that I need a heart bypass operation.

“Whilst it’s not desperate it is obviously something which I need to get done as soon as possible.

“All being well, the operation will take place in August and there will then follow a three month recovery period after which I anticipate being able to return to work as normal.

“Unfortunately this effects a number of shows which unavoidably must be postponed until at least early spring next year.

“My sincere apologies to all the theatre-goers who have bought tickets to my shows but I know you will understand that my health comes before anything and I will do my level best to get back in action as soon as possible.

“Thank you for your understanding and again my apologies for the disruption and inconvenience to everyone concerned.”

Jasper, who lives in Knowle, is in the middle of his Stand Up and Rock tour, which has dates later this month in Weston-Super-Mare, Great Yarmouth and Norwich.

But all the dates from October onwards have been postponed.

He was due to play three dates at Lichfield Garrick from October 4-7 but they will now take place from April 11-14 next year.

Emails have been sent to all with tickets, which will be automatically valid for rescheduled dates or refunds are available.

The show sees Jasper doing a stand-up comedy act before introducing his musical friends Bev Bevan and Geoff Turton.

Jasper, real name Robert Davis, was born and grew up in Acocks Green.

He started his own folk club, The Boggery, in Solihull in 1969 and sang there, but his banter soon overtook the songs and he became more of a comedian.

He had a top five hit with Funky Moped in 1975 and has starred on TV in Carrott’s Lib, Carrott’s Commercial Breakdown and The Detectives with Robert Powell.

He came 20th in Channel 4’s 100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians.

Jasper is married to Hazel and they have three daughters and a son. His daughter Lucy Davis is an actress, best known for The Office as the recent blockbuster Wonder Woman .

In 1997 her mum donated a kidney and Lucy underwent a transplant after being diagnosed with kidney failure.

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