Meat Loaf scraps European tour, vows he'll be back

LONDON (Reuters) - Rocker Meat Loaf has cancelled his European tour after developing a cyst on his vocal cords, but he denied media reports he might be quitting the stage for good.

A series of November concerts across Europe, including one at Wembley Arena later on Tuesday, have been scrapped.

"It really breaks my heart not to be able to perform these shows," Meat Loaf, born Marvin Lee Aday, said in a statement.

"But I have to do what the doctors tell me so I can look forward to healing and coming back strong in 2008. Let me dispel any rumors before they start -- I will be back."

According to the statement, most inter-vocal cord cysts require surgery, but voice therapy is normally conducted first to determine if it is necessary. It will take four to six weeks to decide in this case, it added.

Speculation about the tour, and "Bat Out Of Hell" star Meat Loaf's long-term performing career, first started when a regional British newspaper quoted him as saying: "This is the last show I may ever do in my life," before walking off stage.

(Reporting by Mike Collett-White)