Why Sam Smith started wearing a surgical mask

Singer Sam Smith. Photo / Instagram

Sam Smith has started wearing a surgical mask on flights to protect his vocal cords.

The 23-year-old singer underwent vocal cord surgery earlier this year and in a bid to avoid a repeat incident, he has started wearing the germ-blocking mask.

Smith - who has recently been in Japan - took to Instagram to post a picture of himself wearing the mask while on a plane travelling to Australia, and captioned it: "Farewell Japan it's been incredible. Australia here we come!! Trying to stay as healthy as possible on this plane right now - have I told you guys how much I hate planes? haha xx (sic)"

Smith had surgery on his vocal chords in May because he had developed unstable blood vessels.

The surgery was performed by Dr Steven Zeitels, who previously carried out the same procedure on the likes of Adele and Lionel Richie.

The operation meant Smith was unable to talk for three weeks and he subsequently admitted he found the experience to be "so bad".

"It was horrendous. It was so bad. But I got through and everyone's been so amazing about it, so thank you."

- Bang! Showbiz