The promoters of a planned Australian tour by disgraced R&B star R. Kelly have called off the gigs in the wake of renewed focus on sexual abuse allegations against the singer.

Big Music Tour shocked local music fans in December by announcing the Grammy winner's first Australian tour for February, despite allegations stretching across almost two decades.

The tour was set to take in shows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, before continuing to New Zealand.

However, confusion instantly surrounded the gigs, with advertised venues including Sydney's Rosehill Gardens - which was supposed to host a Valentine's Day show - denying they had ever booked the singer, nor would allow him to perform there.