Coronavirus: Taylor Swift cancels all performances for the rest of 2020

Taylor Swift has cancelled all her live performances for the rest of the year as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Shake It Off singer was due to travel around Europe, the US and and South America to promote her new album, Lover, before COVID-19 put a stop to her plans.

Swift had also been due to headline Glastonbury in June, as well as a British Summer Time concert in London's Hyde Park, but both events have been cancelled due to the coronavirus .

Writing on Twitter, the megastar said: "I'm so sad I won't be able to see you guys in concert this year, but I know this is the right decision.

"Please, please stay healthy and safe. I'll see you on stage as soon as I can but right now what's important is committing to this quarantine, for the sake of all of us."

According to Swift's management, her planned performances in the US and Brazil will be rescheduled for 2021 and she will announce new dates soon.

Tickets for those shows will be valid for the new dates, while those holding tickets for her Lover Fest shows on May 1 will be able to obtain refunds.

Swift's performances have become the latest live events to be cancelled as a result of the ongoing global pandemic.

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Mass gatherings have been banned in most countries around the world, with big name events such as Coachella and Glastonbury already being shelved for the year.

Huge tours such as those featuring Elton John, Pearl Jam and Camilla Cabello have also been cancelled or postponed, with the live music industry likely to be hit by billions of pounds.