Britney Spears calls 'indefinite hiatus' on work to care for father Jamie Spears

Britney Spears says she is taking time off to care for her father. Photo / AP

Britney Spears says she has quit performing to take care of her ill father.

The 37-year-old posted a statement to Instagram saying she wouldn't go ahead with her Britney: Domination residency in Las Vegas while her father, Jamie Spears, is sick. Two months ago his colon ruptured suddenly.

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I don’t even know where to start with this, because this is so tough for me to say. I will not be performing my new show Domination. I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart. However, it’s important to always put your family first… and that’s the decision I had to make. A couple of months ago, my father was hospitalized and almost died. We’re all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time. I hope you all can understand. More information on ticket refunds is available on britneyspears.com. I appreciate your prayers and support for my family during this time. Thank you, and love you all… always.

A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Jan 4, 2019 at 9:01am PST

"I've been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart. However, it's important to always put your family first … and that's the decision I had to make," she wrote.

"A couple of months ago, my father was hospitalised and almost died. We're all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time. I hope you all can understand," she said. "More information on ticket refunds is available on britneyspears.com. I appreciate your prayers and support for my family during this time. Thank you, and love you all … always."

Spears is very close to her father.

He was the one who helped save her life back in 2009 when he was made her conservator by a court, a role which he still serves to this day.

"My father saved my life," Spears once explained to the Daily Star. "I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him … I owe him my life."

MGM Resorts International President Bill Hornbuckle said in a statement, "All of us at MGM Resorts wish Mr. Spears a speedy recovery. We wholly understand and respect Britney's commitment to her family and believe that her place is with them during this important time."

Early in 2018, Spears wrapped a four-year run at Planet Hollywood's Axis Theatre, which helped revive her career.