Wayne Newton sidelined with heart disease

Last Updated: Friday, November 16, 2007 | 5:02 PM ET

CBC News

Danke Schoen crooner Wayne Newton has cancelled a two-month gig in Las Vegas because of a recurring heart infection.

Newton has cardiomyopathy, a viral infection of the heart muscle, Deanna Pettit, a spokeswoman for Harrah's Entertainment Inc., said on Friday.

Wayne Newton sings at an NBA all-star game in Las Vegas in February.
(Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press)

Newton has cancelled a holiday engagement at Harrah's Las Vegas and his place has been taken by Rita Rudner.

He also won't be performing on the Nov. 27 finale of ABC's Dancing With the Stars because of the disease, Pettit said.

"I really want to apologize to the fans that were going to see me in those shows," Newton told People magazine.

"I'm terribly apologetic. And for those who want to paint this situation with a black brush, they're not going to get their wish. I'm going to be fine."

Newton, 65, has previously been treated for the disease and said doctors have advised him to rest for two months.

Newton was eliminated from Dancing With the Stars last month. He is still scheduled to appear with other contestants at the finale, but will be neither singing nor dancing, Pettit said.