LEONARD Cohen has been forced to cancel his concert in Valencia on medical grounds, his organisers have informed.

The Canadian singer-songwriter was in the middle of his performance at the Lluís Puig stadium in the city last night when he fainted on stage.

He was found to be suffering from food poisoning.

Even though he insisted on carrying on with the concert, Cohen’s team overruled him and called off the rest of the performance for the sake of his health.

Anyone who purchased tickets for the aborted concert may claim a refund by calling 902 15 00 25 or by visiting www.ticketmaster.es.

Those who bought their entries from an official point of sale should return to where they made their purchase to claim their money back.

Cohen’s illness is said to be relatively mild and is not expected to affect his concert on Monday in Barcelona’s Palau Sant Jordi, which will coincide with the Montréal-born rocker’s 75th birthday.

He has been touring Spain since July 31 to critical acclaim, having returned to the limelight after a 15-year self-imposed exile.