Kylie cuts short UK comeback show blaming flu

LONDON (Reuters) - Australian pop diva

Kylie Minogue, on the comeback trail since battling breast cancer, cut short a live show late on Saturday blaming a bad bout of flu.

Her spokesman denied that her illness was linked to her breast cancer treatment.

Minogue walked off stage half way through the second of six scheduled concerts at the Manchester Evening News Arena in the northern city, disappointing fans.

"Kylie went on stage in Manchester ... and did half of her show and then unfortunately could not go back on just before the interval," a spokesman told the Manchester Evening News.

"Kylie is suffering 'flu, as are other members of the tour group, including her manager. It is not linked to her breast cancer," the paper's Web site quoted the spokesman as saying.

"We are still waiting to see what is going to happen for the rest of the tour. There are four dates left in Manchester."

Minogue, 38, launched the British leg of her Showgirl Homecoming Tour on New Year's Eve following her recovery from breast cancer treatment.

She has already played seven dates at London's Wembley Arena.

Minogue, a former soap opera actress turned pop princess, was forced to postpone her original Showgirl world tour after her cancer diagnosis in May 2005.

She had surgery and chemotherapy treatment, returning to the stage in November last year.