Kings of Leon cancel UK dates after 'freak' accident

Kings of Leon have cancelled their upcoming UK and European shows after lead singer Caleb Followill broke a bone in his heel in a "freak" accident.

The American rockers had been due to play a series of dates including at Cardiff's Blackweir Fields and a headline slot at the Lytham Festival in Lancashire this summer.

But Followill confirmed he had undergone emergency surgery after "shattering" his heel while playing with his children and is now unable to travel or perform for at least eight weeks.

"The band regrets to report that they will need to cancel all upcoming UK and European festival headline shows in June and July of this year," a statement read.

The Grammy Award winners, who have had UK chart success with tracks including Sex On Fire, Use Somebody and Radioactive, were also due to play dates in Germany and Belgium.

Frontman Followill issued his own statement on social media from his home in Nashville, USA, to explain the "freak" accident.

"I've broken my foot bad playing with my kids. I'll spare you the details but it was pretty gnarly," he said, showing his leg in plaster.

"It's a big bummer because we were so excited and had been preparing for this tour for a long time. We've been in the studio recording a bunch of new music that we were going to debut.

"But now we have to pivot and do whatever work we can while I have these limitations.

"It's not the message I want to be sending but hopefully we'll see you all soon."