Shawn Mendes

The 23-year-old is one of several stars to have recently returned to playing live after the Covid pandemic halted tours around the world in 2020.

But Mendes said in a statement he "was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away".

He promised fans he would return once he had "taken the right time to heal".

Mendes wasn't due to perform in the UK until 2023 - with gigs in Birmingham, Glasgow, London and Sheffield - but those have now been shelved.

In a candid interview with Rolling Stone, he admits considering setting up photos of himself with women to make a point to the media and his fans.

"In the back of my heart, I feel like I need to go be seen with someone - like a girl - in public, to prove to people that I'm not gay," he explained.

He also admitted the scrutiny made him constantly analyse his gestures.

"Even though in my heart I know that it's not a bad thing. There's still a piece of me that thinks that. And I hate that side of me."