‘A week from hell’: Tommy Fleming ends Limerick gig after two songs due to flu

‘OH God this has been a week from hell,” said a clearly unwell singer Tommy Fleming at a gig in County Limerick on Saturday night. The Sligo vocalist brought his concert series - An Intimate Evening of Songs & Stories - to Friars’ Gate Theatre in Kilmallock. Tommy Fleming has dominated news headlines in recent weeks regarding the most intimate parts of his life - his sexuality, breakdown of his marriage and using alcohol, prescription drugs and illegal substances to self-medicate. The Sunday Independent have an exclusive interview today with his wife, Tina Mitchell, who said: “He shouldn’t have stolen 24 years of my life”.

READ NEXT: Top international artists set to perform at the Killaloe Music Festival Journalist Niamh Horan met Tina Mitchell after Tommy went on the national airwaves to tell the country that he had known he was gay since he was 13. Prior to the story breaking, Tommy was taking to the stage in Kilmallock on Saturday night despite being feeling very unwell with the flu. He started with one of his best known songs - The Contender. After that tune concluded, he said, “Fair warning”. “I will try and do the show.

It sounds awful so far. I could be calling it at any time. I’m sweating as well. It’s great to be here even though I’m only half here.

We’ll try this next one.” However, Tommy couldn’t continue. “I sound like I have the plague. We will reschedule the show. God I can't believe this is happening. I tried it,” said Tommy.

One of his fans in the sold-out theatre shouted, "Don't worry about it - ‘tis grand”. Tommy looked like he had tears in his eyes. “Thank you so much for turning up, for being here. Oh God this has been a week from hell but thank you. We will hopefully reschedule - I can't even talk now - for two or three weeks' time. “We will do a second show in the middle of that week for anyone who wants to go to that show and donate that show to a charity in the local area,” said Tommy.

He said he was so sorry for bringing “you all here”. “I should have called it this morning but I thought I could do it. I’m not a machine. Sometimes I just need to lie down,” said Tommy. Another audience member said, “It’s great to have you, Tommy”.

Tommy thanked the crowd, waved, bowed and left the stage with his guitarist. The Leader spoke to a number of those in attendance, many who have seen him multiple times. The feeling was he showed “great gumption for showing up” despite everything that is going on in his personal life. One person said “everyone has secrets” and “everyone has a private life”. “It is sad how it played out,” said another.