Lionel Richie, 77, hospitalised for third time due to ongoing heart issues

| Live News reporter Published September 22, 2026 3:53pm Updated September 22, 2026 4:46pm Lionel Richie has been hospitalised for a third time (Picture: Robert Bell/INSTARimages) Lionel Richie has been hospitalised again as he continues to face heart issues. The All Night Long singer, 77, is receiving treatment for atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat. A representative confirmed to Metro: ‘Lionel underwent a common procedure for atrial fibrillation (AFib). ‘The doctor said everything went perfectly. ‘Lionel is doing great but will take some time off and will be back on stage soon.’ The news was first reported by TMZ, which said Richie is being treated with an AFib ablation, which is not considered a major procedure and is minimally invasive. The Hello singer was hospitalised in June and again in August (Picture: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images for Lionel Richie) It involves doctors inserting thin, flexible tubes (catheters) into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guiding them to the heart. High-energy electric pulses create scars to block faulty electrical pathways. Consequently, he has had to cancel the next three dates on his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The Sing a Song All Night Long gigs were due to continue in San Francisco this Saturday, with the tour then travelling to Chicago on September 30 and Columbus on October 2. This marks the third time the star has been admitted to hospital in recent months. In June, Richie was taken to hospital after falling ill mid-performance, when he became ‘dizzy’ and felt ‘strange’. While singing Dancing on the Ceiling in St. Paul, he had to sit down and joked about feeling ‘tired’, but ultimately he had to cut the gig short. Paramedics transported him to hospital via ambulance as a ‘precautionary measure’. Richie postponed two of his next shows to ‘rest and return to full health’, making a comeback on June 30. ‘Had you worried there for a minute, huh?’, he told the crowd, poking fun at his ordeal. ‘You have no idea what I have been through in the last 24 hours, listening to my friends tell me their advice on what I should be doing.’ Thanking fans for their support nonetheless, Richie insisted he was ‘doing well’ weeks later. He penned on Instagram on July 4: ‘Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. ❤️ I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you. His representative confirmed his latest procedure went ‘perfectly’ (Picture: Jeff Schear/Getty Images for Acrisure Amphitheater) ‘Pittsburgh and Detroit were an absolute joy. The energy, the dancing, the faces in the crowd… we made real memories together. See you in Toronto… let’s party all night long! 🎉’ Then, at the end of August, following another concert, the Hello hitmaker was admitted to intensive care at a hospital in St. Louis, where he underwent cardiac tests for three days. On September 2, he was out of hospital and back home in Los Angeles, with People confirming he was ‘doing great’. Just two days ago, Richie was photographed in high spirits as he was seen for the first time since his latest health scare. Last Saturday, he attended a dinner party at Mr. Chow in Beverly Hills alongside his girlfriend, Lisa Parigi, where he flashed a smile and big thumbs-up to the paparazzi. Deals of the Day Save over £700 on Simba's top-rated mattresses in this limited-time sale Topman’s new-season collection has arrived and prices start at just £10 An Instagram mattress left me with back pain – this one completely changed my mind From £700 MacBooks to discounted iPhones, the best Apple tech for studentsb Save 25% on red light therapy masks, sauna blankets and sleep gadgets in Bon Charge sale Arrow MORE: Dolly Parton’s best friend hears her ‘haunting voice in my head’ as he continues legacy Arrow MORE: Hayden Panettiere’s cause of death confirmed after fentanyl speculation Arrow MORE: Robin Williams’ daughter blasts ‘delusional’ fans for circulating fake video Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.