The Yes reunion tour is off after the frontman for the popular British band was diagnosed with acute respiratory failure.

Jon Anderson's doctors have advised him not to work for six months or he could suffer further health complications.

“In the wake of my recent respiratory attack, doctors have advised me to spend the coming months resting and recovering,” Anderson said in a news release.

“Unfortunately, this means I won't be able to tour with Yes this summer as originally planned."

He was admitted to hospital last month with a severe asthma attack. The singer used to smoke in the 1970s but now is a non-smoker.

The British progressive rock band toured in 2002-2004, but has been on hiatus since then.

The group had planned a 26-city tour to kick off in Quebec next month. Stops had been planned in Toronto, Vancouver, Detroit and other cities.

The tour would have marked the 40th anniversary of Yes, which formed in 1968.

Anderson said he was disappointed about the tour's cancellation.

"I was looking forward to celebrating our music with the amazing family of Yes fans once again; but as we all know, health must come before anything else.”

With files from the Canadian Press