A MOBO Award winner has pulled out of his Glastonbury performance after cancelling all his gigs for the rest of the year. Rapper, Bru-C – whose real name is Josh Bruce – was due to perform at Worthy Farm this summer, said he needs to focus on his mental health, admitting he had been “trying to bury things”.

The hip-hop star from Derbyshire, 33, said he was “really hoping” that he wouldn’t have to cancel all his commitments, including Glastonbury, for the rest of the year, but confessed that he needs to “take a step back”. Taking to Instagram, he shared a lengthy statement online, which began: “I’m really sorry to announce I’m going to have to cancel all my upcoming show commitments for 2025/ the foreseeable future.

“Many of you know I’ve been struggling with mental health issues for some time now and I’ve tried my best to bury things and keep my life and career moving forward.”

Bru-C, who won the Best Newcomer award at the MOBOs in 2022, explained that he’d “got gradually worse over the last few years” and needed to “take another step back to try and get back to kind of stable place in my life.”

He insisted it was the “last thing” he wanted to do to let down fans, but needed some time out to take get his life “back on track”.

The rapper went on: “I know a lot of people will have spent hard-earned money to come out to the show I’m booked at, and I really am sorry for the impact of this decision will have on your all. I hope you all understand I have to prioritise my own mental and physical health.”

Admitting he didn’t know when he’d be back on stage again, he concluded: “I want you to know I’m seeking the right help and support, and I take none of this for granted. I just want to be better, when that will be I don’t know.”

It didn’t take long before his famous friends and loyal legion of fans flooded to the comments to pass on their well wishes online. Rapper Gardna wrote: “Brother the tunes you have are timeless. The main stage will always be ready for you! Go well king!”

DJ and musician, Example, added: “Take your time man. Focus on yourself. Mad respect for this post. Hopefully it helps others. Love ya.”

Meanwhile producer Toddla T added: “We love you bro, a show is a show, they ain’t going anywhere… you can enter the stage again in the future if you choose… heal up and come back match fit just like when a baller mash up his ankle… take as long as you need.”

Now based in Nottingham, Bru-C’s album Original Sounds was released in November 2019 with CruCast, which was his record label at the time.

His second album dropped back in December 2020. One year later, Bru-C signed a contract to join the major record label, Def Jam Recordings.

If you are struggling with mental health, you can speak to a trained advisor from Mind mental health charity on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.uk