Kasabian axe gigs after swine flu scare

Kasabian have been forced to cancel a series of live dates in Australia after singer Tom Meighan reportedly contracted swine flu.

Meighan was admitted to hospital in Sydney earlier this week and the group have since been ordered to remain in isolation in their hotel room.

"We're all sick as dogs, man. It's pretty terrible. It's a bit of a virus that we picked up in Japan. It's so tough," Meighan told The Sun.

"I am confined to my hotel room and I look out and see the Opera House and the harbour and so want to be out there in it all.

"The doctor says it will take a couple of days and we need to stay in our rooms and chill. But we hope to be rocking and rolling very quickly. It's what we're on the road to do."

The group are expected to perform in Malaysia on August 15.

Kasabian's third studio album West Rider Pauper Lunatic Asylum debuted at number one in June.