{"id":140281,"date":"2025-09-16T03:22:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-16T03:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/140281\/"},"modified":"2025-09-16T03:22:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-16T03:22:13","slug":"james-bourne-forced-to-quit-busted-vs-mcfly-tour-24-hours-before-first-gig","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/140281\/","title":{"rendered":"James Bourne forced to quit Busted Vs McFly tour 24 hours before first gig"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tJames Bourne won\u2019t be part of the upcoming Busted and McFly joint tour (Picture: Dave J Hogan\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

James Bourne has stepped down from the Busted<\/a> Vs McFly<\/a> tour with just over 24 hours to go.<\/p>\n

The two pop rock juggernauts are set to collide in a unique joint run<\/a> of shows across the UK, which kicks off tomorrow night in Birmingham and rolls on until November 8 in Nottingham<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With one day to go, Year 3000 hitmaker James<\/a> has confirmed he won\u2019t be taking part due to health reasons.<\/p>\n

He wrote on Instagram: \u2018The VS tour kicks off tomorrow night in Birmingham<\/a> and as excited as l\u2019ve been all year for this tour to begin.<\/p>\n

\u2018I\u2019m really sorry to say that over the last 8 days it has become clear that I am not in good enough health<\/a> to play these shows :-(\u2018<\/p>\n

James didn\u2019t go into any further details on his health issues, but noted his bandmates Matt Willis and Charlie Simpson support his decision to step away for now.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tMcFly and Busted will go head to head across the UK this autumn (Picture: Tristan Fewings\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tJames\u2019 bandmates Charlie Simpson and Matt Willis support his decision (Picture: Jeff Spicer\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\u2018There\u2019s a lot of information I still don\u2019t have about my condition but my bandmates, management and I are unanimous in deciding that I should focus on the medical stuff for now,\u2019 he continued.<\/p>\n

The former Son of Dork frontman promised fans they will still get \u2018an amazing show\u2019, and he\u2019s hopeful he can get back to doing what he loves \u2018further down the line.<\/p>\n

He added: \u2018I really hope I can be in a position to come back further down the line. It\u2019s still going to be an amazing show and I will miss being there! See you all as soon as possible.\u2019<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\tBusted vs McFly 2025 tour dates\t\t\t<\/p>\n

September 16 \u2013\u00a0Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
\nSeptember 17 \u2013 Birmingham, BP Pulse Live
\nSeptember 19 \u2013\u00a0London, OVO Arena Wembley
\nSeptember 20 \u2013 London, The O2
\nSeptember 21 \u2013 London, The O2
\nSeptember 23 \u2013\u00a0Cardiff, Utilita Arena
\nSeptember 24 \u2013 Cardiff, Utilita Arena
\nSeptember 26 \u2013\u00a0Sheffield, Utilita Arena
\nSeptember 27 \u2013\u00a0Leeds, First Direct Arena
\nSeptember 28 \u2013 Leeds, First Direct Arena
\nSeptember 30 \u2013\u00a0Aberdeen, P&J Live
\nOctober 2 \u2013\u00a0Glasgow, OVO Hydro
\nOctober 3 \u2013 Glasgow, OVO Hydro
\nOctober 7 \u2013\u00a0Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
\nOctober 8 \u2013 Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena
\nOctober 10 \u2013\u00a0Newcastle, Utilita Arena
\nOctober 14 \u2013\u00a0Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
\nOctober 15 \u2013 Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena
\nOctober 17 \u2013\u00a0Manchester, AO Arena
\nOctober 21 \u2013\u00a0Belfast, SSE Arena
\nOctober 31 \u2013 London, The O2
\nNovember 1 \u2013 London, The O2
\nNovember 3 \u2013 Glasgow, OVO Hydro
\nNovember 5- Manchester, Co-op Live
\nNovember 6 \u2013 Sheffield, Utilita Arena
\nNovember 8 \u2013 Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena<\/p>\n

McFly drummer Harry Judd<\/a> replied: \u2018Won\u2019t be the same without you dude. Hope you\u2019re back on tour asap.\u2019<\/p>\n

And the official Busted account wrote on their story: \u2018Can\u2019t wait to have you back JB. In the meantime, we\u2019ve got this. #TeamBusted Birmingham we see you tomorrow!\u2019<\/p>\n

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
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Matt and Charlie will be performing as Busted without James for the first time when they hit the road to take on McFly \u2013 Tom Fletcher<\/a>, Danny Jones<\/a>, Dougie Poynter and Harry Judd<\/a> \u2013 in a WWE-style on stage battle.<\/p>\n

In October 2024, Busted interrupted McFly\u2019s London gig at The O2 with a callout straight out of the world of professional wrestling.<\/p>\n

\u2018Right now here tonight, we challenge you to the ultimate face off, next year, 2025 Busted Vs McFly the tour. The Challenge is yours if you choose to accept it,\u2019 Busted announced, according to\u00a0MailOnline<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"Mandatory
\n\t\tJames was a founding member of Busted in 2002 (Picture: South Coast Press\/REX\/Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

\t\t\"LONDON,
\n\t\tBusted and McFly have been closeknit for over two decades (Picture: Zak Hussein\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

The two bands previously joined forces as McBusted before Charlie rejoined the What I Go To School For trio, but this time they\u2019ll be colliding as rivals.<\/p>\n

\u2018The whole tour is to find out who\u2019s a better band. Fans can decide. [The fans] can come and support their band and they might change their mind. It\u2019s going to be a fight to the death,\u2019 they groups previously teased.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Metro after the announcement, they laughed about the idea of gunging the losing band<\/a> in a real 00s move.<\/p>\n

However, Dougie insisted: \u2018We\u2019ll just let the music and the playing do the talking.\u2019 concludes Dougie, before his bandmates go off on an extreme tangent about using him as a human sacrifice on tour.<\/p>\n

Got a story?<\/p>\n

If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n

Arrow
\nMORE: Why Maura Higgins and Danny Jones could be set for awkward reunion after kiss scandal<\/a><\/p>\n


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