(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Adele has cancelled British tour dates after an illness left her "useless as a slug".

The 23-year-old Grammy Award-winning artist has fallen ill. The first couple dates of the European leg of her 2011 Adele Live tour have been cancelled as a result. The singer is devastated that she is unable to perform in her condition.

"Hi guys, sorry about the first 2 shows. I'm as useless as a slug right now, I've had a rotten cold since I got home earlier this week and was hoping it wouldn't make its way onto my chest [sic]," Adele explained in her blog this weekend. "But unfortunately it has and it's leaving me breathless and I can't hold any of my notes when I sing."

Adele does not want to sound anything but spectacular for her fans. She would rather wait for her blocked nose and scratchy throat to heal before she sets foot onstage.

"I don't sound like myself either, because I'm all bunged up and croaky," Adele described. "I'd rather not do a show, then not do a good one for you."

Her sickness is not unconquerable though. Adele is confident that she will be feeling well enough to perform in a few days.

"I have all day today, tomorrow and Tuesday to get better without having to sing or really do anything so fingers crossed I'll be better," Adele said.

A portion of the North American leg of her tour was cancelled this summer due to the singer's bout of laryngitis.

Her performances in Plymouth on September 4 and in Bournemouth September 5 have been called off, but are expected to be rescheduled. Her performances in Europe will end on October 21. (C) Cover Media