Status Quo Cancel European Gigs as Guitarist Rick Parfitt is Hospitalised

British rock group Status Quo have been forced to cancel a series of gigs after guitarist Rick Parfitt was taken ill in hospital.

The British rock group had been due to play in Croatia tonight during their European tour.

The six shows have now been shelved as doctors assess the musician in a hospital in Pula, northern Croatia.

The band's manager Simon Porter said: "The band do not cancel shows lightly, as any of our fans will tell you, but in this instance we have no option but to follow medical advice."

While details of Parfitt's condition have not been revealed, a spokesman said the band will release more information next week.

The band were previously forced to cancel concerts nine years ago when the rock star underwent tests for suspected throat cancer.

In 1997, he had a quadruple heart bypass with doctors warning him that he could die as a result of his rock n'roll lifestyle.

Status Quo are scheduled to perform in the UK in December, however it is not yet known of the shows will be affected.

Status Quo are known for their hit songs Whatever You Want and Rockin' All Over The World and currently hold the record for the most British singles at 64.