Whitney Houston has been forced to postpone the opening three dates of her UK tour due to illness.

The veteran singer, who is on a world tour, has been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection and advised to rest by doctors.

The affected shows include two dates in Manchester on Thursday (April 8) and Friday (9), and a performance in Glasgow on Sunday (April 11).

All three dates have already been rescheduled.

The Glasgow gig will now set to take place on May 1, while the Manchester shows will conclude the UK leg of the tour on June 16 and 17.

Ticketholders are advised to keep hold of their tickets for the rescheduled dates or obtain a refund from point of purchase.

The 46-year-old singer's ill health has already forced her to cancel a date in Paris on Tuesday (April 6).

Houston's Nothing But Love world tour has so far received a mixed response from critics at performances in Asia and Australia.

(by Jason Gregory)