Robbie Williams cancels Istanbul concert amid terror and safety fears
Robbie Williams has been forced to cancel a concert due to terror fears. The music legend was scheduled to perform in Istanbul next week, but he informed fans that the show has been cancelled because of concerns regarding public safety. Robbie has close connections with Turkey, as his wife, Ayda Field-Williams, is of half-Turkish descent.
The 51-year-old was set to perform at Istanbul’s Atakoy Marina, but the company organizing the event decided to cancel due to security risks and public backlash.
His concert was scheduled for October 7, two years after the attacks on Israel by Hamas, during which 1,200 innocent people were killed and 251 people were held hostage in Gaza.
In a statement, Robbie said: "I’m extremely sorry that I will not be able to perform in Istanbul next week. City authorities have canceled the show in the interest of public safety. The last thing I would ever want to do is to jeopardize the safety of my fans - their safety and security come first."
"We were very excited to be playing Istanbul for the first time, and purposely chose the city as the final show of the BRITPOP tour. Ending this epic run of dates in front of my Turkish fans was my dream, given the close connections my family has with this wonderful country.
"To everyone in Istanbul who wanted to join the 1.2 million people who have shared this phenomenal tour this year with us, I am deeply sorry. We were so looking forward to this show, but the decision to cancel it was beyond our control."
Currently, the Foreign Office is warning Brits against traveling to Turkey, with a notice on their dedicated travel advice page stating that travel insurance could be invalidated if they travel against the advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Concerns began to grow after Robbie voiced his support for Israel following the horrific events on October 7. Previously, he stated that he is raising his four children as Jewish, since this is the religion their mother, his wife, Ayda, practices. He mentioned that the family follows Jewish traditions at home "out of respect."
During a concert in Tel Aviv in 2023, Robbie said on stage: "I’m raising my kids Jewish and I’m grateful for the Jewish people. My wife is Jewish, so my kids are Jewish."
"I like to keep some of the traditions going in the family, just out of respect for you guys and their history." He also has the word "Simcha" tattooed on his wrist, which means happiness in Hebrew.
Technology & Business Editor
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