HARRY CONNICK JNR cancelled a Sydney shopping centre appearance yesterday because of concerns for his safety.

The American crooner was scheduled to make an appearance at Castle Towers in Castle Hill but his management pulled the plug because of abusive comments posted online about Connick jnr after his stance against ''blackface'' performers on Hey Hey It's Saturday.

Connick jnr's disgust at the television skit made headlines around the world - many of them in favour of his stance against racism - but some local television fans were irritated by his stance.