It would have been impossible for me to play one chord, let alone three

Rick Parfitt

Doctor's blame repetitive strumming of the bands hits, which include Rockin' All Over The World and The Wanderer, for Parfitt's problem.

 Click here to watch Status Quo on Top Of The Pops

All the concerts affected, which include Grimsby and Leicester, have been rescheduled for dates in February.

Parfitt is currently receiving physiotherapy from Leicester City Football Club in a bid to be well enough to perform in Manchester on Saturday.

Short notice

"I'd just like to apologise to all our fans who have been disappointed," said Parfitt.

"I feel absolutely terrible in letting them down at such short notice.

Parfitt met Rossi at Butlin's in Minehead in 1965

"But I couldn't move either my elbow or lower arm and it would have been impossible for me to play one chord, let alone three."

Since Status Quo's conception in 1967 the band has become famous for their three chord classics.

They have not released any new music for over a year but the veteran rock outfit has a devoted fan base and plays around 150 concerts every year.

"Rick's injury comes from playing live energy shows all the time," a spokesman for the band said.

"He is gutted about letting his fans down but he has been banging out these numbers now for 35 years and it has taken its toll."