Eric Clapton fans won’t be happy to learn that his UK tour is in jeopardy after he expressed fury at the idea of vaccine passports.
The 76-year-old musician has said he will not perform at any venue requiring attendees to be vaccinated as a condition of entry, after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced on Monday that proof of vaccines would be needed to enter nightclubs and other crowded venues.
Shared via the Telegram account of film producer Robin Monotti – who has also expressed doubt over the vaccine – Eric released a statement for fans.
It read: “Following the PM’s announcement on Monday, July 19, 2021 I feel honour-bound to make an announcement of my own.
“I wish to say that I will not perform on any stage where there is a discriminated audience present.”
(Image: GETTY)
He continued: “Unless there is provision made for all people to attend, I reserve the right to cancel the show.”
Eric hasn’t been happy with the government’s response to the Covid-19 pandemic, appearing on Van Morrison’s anti-lockdown song Stand and Deliver in December last year.
Lyrics to the track include: “Do you wanna be a free man / Or do you wanna be a slave?” and “Dick Turpin wore a mask too.”
(Image: Getty Images)
And though he received both AstraZeneca jabs, he said his reactions to the vaccine were “disastrous”, elaborating: “My hands and feet were either frozen, numb or burning, and pretty much useless for weeks.
“I feared I would never play again.”
The star already suffered from peripheral neuropathy, a condition which can cause numbness and tingling in the extremities.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
He added at the time that he “should never have gone near the needle […] but the propaganda said the vaccine was safe for everyone.”
The rock and roll legend isn’t scheduled to play any UK shows until May next year, when he is booked to play two shows at London’s Royal Albert Hall – though he does have a few USA dates booked this September.
The NHS website states that “the Covid-19 vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others”, and says that research has proven that they can “reduce the risk of getting seriously ill or dying from Covid-19.”
It says vaccines also help to “reduce your risk of catching or spreading Covid-19” and “protect against Covid-19 variants”.
The website also states: “The Covid-19 vaccines approved for use in the UK have met strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. They can cause some side effects, but not everyone gets them.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
