Professor Green has been forced to cancel his upcoming tour after fracturing his neck in a fall just hours before his first show.

The British rapper said in a post to Instagram that he had had three seizures resulting in a fall which fractured vertebrae in his neck.

Hackney-born Green – known off stage as Stephen Manderson – was due to embark on a tour of the UK beginning tonight at The Globe in Cardiff.

The rapper, 35, shared a picture of himself strapped onto a stretcher with his head supported and a neck brace, with a tube in his nose.

Along with the picture on Instagram, he wrote: “I had seizure this morning which resulted in a fall while I was packing for tour.

“Depending on how you look at this fall I was extremely lucky. I fractured vertebrae in my neck and subsequently had to cancel my tour that was due to start today.

“I’ll be back in the winter with a bigger tour. I’ve had two further seizures and am lucky I didn’t break my neck. Really f****** lucky. Thanks for baring [sic] with me.”

He apologised to fans, but said he felt lucky to not be in worse condition.

A statement from Professor Green’s spokesperson said: “Due to a serious neck injury Professor Green has been forced to cancel his February 2019 tour. Tickets for all dates are refundable. Refunds will be made available at the point of purchase.”