Metallica frontman James Hetfield has said he was taken ill on Sunday (March 8th) after eating a bad oyster.

The rock group were forced to cancel the last date on their European tour in Sweden after Hetfield was hospitalised with a stomach bug.

16,000 fans had already arrived at the Stockholm Globe Arena in preparation for the concert when drummer Lars Ulrich announced the show had been cancelled.

In a statement on Metallica's website, Hetfield said doctors had narrowed down the cause of his stomach bug to “either a 24hr virus or a bad oyster”.

“Yes, hate to admit, an oyster could have taken me down,” he said.

Hetfield was treated in hospital for dehydration but left later in the evening in order to return to the US.

“I acknowledge and apologize for any inconvenience this has caused fans who had travelled near and far for the show,” he said.

“I had done everything possible to make it, and was at the point of falling if I stood up. On a lighter note since my illness, the support band 'Swedish Oyster Cult' will be thrown off the tour. More Cowbell?...More barf bagz!!”

The show will be rescheduled for later in the spring.

(by Jason Gregory)