Gutted Sam Smith fans have been left pondering what "surprise" was being planned at their AO Arena concert just minutes before the show was dramatically halted on Wednesday night. It came after a major tease about Sam's upcoming collaboration with pop icon Madonna.
Both Sam and Madonna shared a video on their social media on Wednesday bearing the slogan "SxM - Sam and Madonna". Billboards also appeared around Manchester city centre with the phrase "S&M" and a sailor symbol.
Then on stage Sam revealed to fans that a "surprise" was planned with a new song to be played at the finale of the show in Manchester. It was just MINUTES before the concert came to a halt.
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It left fans reeling - and wondering if Madonna was actually backstage at the AO Arena for the performance. After singing the first three songs of the setlist, a beaming Sam talked to their fans and confided that a "surprise" lay ahead.
Appearing to be in good form, they said how much they loved Manchester and urged fans to stay to the "very end".
They said on stage: "We've planned a little surprise for you tonight. I want to play to you one of my new songs that's coming out.
"So after the show, at the very end of the show, after Unholy, please stay around. If you have to go it's fine it's fine," he joked.
"But if you stay it would be nice. I love you so much Manchester let's have fun tonight, this is Too Good at Goodbyes."
Sam launched into global hit Too Good at Goodbyes before the stage was then plunged into darkness. Fans initially thought there had been a powercut.
But an announcement over the tannoy confirmed that the show would not be continuing after "issues with their voice". Later on Wednesday night, "heartbroken" Sam took to their social media to explain what had happened in Manchester.
In the statement they said: "Dearest sailors, I don't know what to say honestly. I fought off a virus a few weeks ago and since then we have travelled across Europe and had such incredible shows.
"Today in soundcheck I felt fine and was so excited to give Manchester an amazing show tonight, with a special surprise at the end.
"During my third song, I noticed something wrong with my voice. I prayed it was just my voice waking up for the show but into the fourth song I could feel something was really wrong.
"I came off stage and have tried everything to get my voice back in gear but it won't. I am honestly heartbroken I couldn't finish the show tonight for you all. I love you all. I'm sorry I'm sorry I'm sorry x"
Gutted fans have been left wondering what might have been about to happen at the show and whether Madonna was actually in the building. Fans are also hoping the new collaboration will still be aired soon after such huge build-up on both stars' social media accounts yesterday.
Fans are also eagerly awaiting news of whether the star will be able to return to perform at their planned gigs at Glasgow's OVO Hydro tonight (May 25) and at Birmingham Resorts World Arena on May 27.
We have asked AO Arena and Sam Smith's representatives for comment.
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