Lewis Capaldi hits back at critics after going ahead with his planned Scotland show despite coronavirus pandemic and ban on mass gatherings

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Lewis Capaldi has hit back at critics after deciding to go ahead with his planned concert over the weekend amid the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson for the star, 23, insisted that his concert in Scotland on Sunday went ahead as planned in full compliance with government advice on restricting mass gatherings, to lift the strain on emergency workers.

As of Monday Scotland ordered a temporary ban of mass gatherings of more than 500 people, as the number of UK cases of coronavirus increased to 1,372.

Defiant: Lewis Capaldi has hit back at critics after deciding to go ahead with his concert amid the coronavirus pandemic (pictured performing in Glasgow earlier this month)

A representative for Lewis told Metro: 'The final show of Lewis's UK arena tour in Aberdeen on Sunday 15th March went ahead in full compliance with the advisory document on mass gatherings issued by the Scottish government at 1pm on the same day.

'The document states that the advice applies from Monday 16th March and is 'not expected to have a significant impact on the spread of Covid-19, and this is not its purpose', but that it aims 'to relieve pressure on public services, including emergency services'.

'Security, first aid, medical and welfare teams were paid for by the organisers as normal and the venue had additional signage in place to highlight best practice on hygiene during the event.'

On Monday Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that the government would no longer be supporting mass gatherings, to try and free up emergency workers to assist with the virus.

As the virus continued to spread, many music stars have cancelled their planned concerts or tours, including One Direction's Louis Tomlinson, who announced on Monday that his UK tour would be rescheduled.

Posting on social media, Louis said: 'I'm sad to say we have made the decision to reschedule my UK tour that was due to start next week.

'We are working with the promoter and venues to make new plans as soon as possible, but these things are taking a little longer at the moment. We will be announcing new dates very soon. Look after yourselves. Louis x.'

The five newly postponed shows, which had all sold out, also included stops in Glasgow, Doncaster and Manchester, lasting until March 28.

He also has dates later in year in the United States, Mexico and South America.

The London premiere for Disney's live-action remake of Mulan was downscaled in response to coronavirus, and the release of the film has now been delayed. 

And BAFTA's Games Awards have also changed format in the wake of the pandemic, so that instead of a red carpet the events will now be broadcast globally with an online live stream.

BAFTA confirmed that there would also no longer be a live audience at the event, which was set to take place on April 24 and May 17 respectively. 

In a statement, the company said: 'The health and wellbeing of our guests and our staff remain our top priority, so there will be no live audience and we are now in the process of informing all our nominees, guests, partners and suppliers of the change.;

Louis is not the first star to have tour dates impacted by coronavirus, as Ozzy Osbourne and Yungblud announced they were cancelling their public appearances on Friday. 

The Black Sabbath singer, 71, joined Facebook, Netflix and Apple in cancelling plans to appear at the South by Southwest conference. 

The rock icon withdrew from the event in Austin, Texas, where he was due to support the world premiere screening of Biography: The Nine Lives of Ozzy Osbourne, which is scheduled to run from March 13 until 22. 

A representative explained: 'Following recent cancellations by major corporations, artists, record companies and studios because of the ongoing threat of the coronavirus, Ozzy Osbourne has likewise decided to cancel his upcoming appearance at SXSW.' 

Sad: It comes after One Direction star Louis Tomlinson joined a long line of stars who announced that they would be rescheduling their planned shows due to the coronavirus