Who is Jacqui Abbott? Singer pulls out of Paul Heaton tour for medical reasons

Jacqui Abbott and Paul Heaton have been performing across the UK after the success of their latest album N.K. Pop, which reached No 1 in the charts.

The pair performed at the Totally Wicked Stadium recently with a string of other performances announced, including a gig at Manchester’s AO Arena on Saturday December 10.

Due to an illness, however, Ms Abbott will be pulling out from the gigs at Bridlington, Glasgow and Stockton following medical advice.

Who is Ms Abbott and what is her suspected illness?

Abbott and The Beautiful South

Ms Abbott, 49, is a singer and became the vocalist for The Beautiful South after Briana Corrigan left the group in 1994.

She joined the band after a chance encounter with Mr Heaton – co-founder of the band – outside a nightculb in 1992.

She sang a few lines of a song she liked to him and he was blown away by her talent. A couple of years later, he came looking for her and invited her to audition for the band.

She performed with the group for seven years, producing a string of hits and extensive touring around the world.

Ms Abbott left the band in 2000 shortly after her son was diagnosed with autism, deciding to step back and focus on her family.

In 2011, Mr Heaton reached out to her again and they reunited on the stage, forming Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott.

Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott collaboration

Ms Abbott contributed to the band’s albums with hit songs including Rotterdam (or Anywhere), Perfect 10, Don’t Marry Her and Dream a Little Dream of Me.

The duo collaborated on a number of albums including What Have We Become, Wisdom Laughter and Lines, Crooked Calypso and their No 1 album; Manchester Calling.

Manchester Calling was the pair’s fourth studio album and was released on March 6, 2020.

As for Ms Abbott’s illness and reason for her recent decision to pull out from three gigs, she has not yet explained what it may be as of yet.