Kanye West cancels American tour

A North American tour by Kanye West has been cancelled just weeks after he was criticised for storming on stage at an awards ceremony.

The rap star has experienced widespread negative publicity since he interrupted country star Taylor Swift's acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards.

He told her Beyonce should have won the best female award instead.

No reason has been given but West has admitted he needed to take time off to grieve for his mother.

Awards backlash

West was booed when he stopped teen star Swift's speech and had to leave the ceremony.

A number of celebrities, including Pink and Katy Perry, spoke out against him and even the President was caught calling him a 'jackass' when he thought he was speaking off the record.

West has apologised three times for his behaviour saying he was "ashamed'.

Speaking on the Jay Leno show in the US he said he needed to take a break to grieve for his mother who died suddenly in 2007.

The Fame Kills tour, which also featured Lady GaGa, was due to start on 10 November and take in the US and Canada. There is no comment yet from Kanye West on his blog or from Lady GaGa.