TAMPA, FL  [Monday Sep.19.2005]  /Mix103FM.com/ -- Following doctor's orders, Coldplay was forced to cancel shows in Tampa, Florida and Birmingham, Alabama last week.

According to www.Coldplay.com, shows at Birmingham's Verizon Wireless Pavillion and Tampa's Ford Amphitheatre were canceled after singer Chris Martin was taken ill with "a virus" that caused him throat problems.

Drummer Will Champion posted an apology to fans on Coldplay's official web site and explained why the band called off the shows. Writes Will, "Chris is suffering from some issues with his throat and it was felt by his doctor that if he didn't give his voice a rest, he might not be able to sing for the rest of the US dates."

Coldplay will be returning to Tampa and Birmingham to make up the missed shows. Will promises, "Please be assured that we plan on returning to the US in the spring of 2006 and when we do, we will definitely reschedule both of these shows."

Fans are advised to hold onto their tickets for the original date, as they will be honored for the rescheduled concert.

As for Martin, the Coldplay frontman is starting to feel better, and doctors cleared him to start performing again as of Saturday, September 17th.

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