U2 were forced to abandon their concert in Berlin on Saturday night after Bono lost his voice.

The Irish rock band were a handful of songs into the second date on the European leg of their Experience + Innocence tour when the singer apologised to fans and said he was unable to continue.

"I think we can't go on,” he said, according to accounts published on social media. “It's not right for you."

Afterwards, the three other members of the band – Larry Mullen Jnr, the Edge and Adam Clayton – issued a statement thanking fans for their support and understanding.

“ We're so sorry for tonight's cancellation,” they said.

“Bono was in great form and great voice prior to the show and we were all looking forward to the second night in Berlin, but after a few songs, he suffered a complete loss of voice.

“We don't know what has happened and we're taking medical advice.”

One video posted on Saturday night seemed to show the singer coughing before apologising in a hoarse voice.

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Ashley Judd, the actress, was in the audience and tweeted that the crowd “felt for him” as he appeared “obviously powerless and vulnerable”.

Some fans suggested that smoke machines may have been to blame.

Bono initially tried to put a brave face on his obvious discomfort.

"I'm sure this is not a big, big problem - but I'm going to have to do something." he said in a video posted by a fan on Twitter . "If people want to go home, that's fine - we'll play another show for you another time."

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At first the show was paused after Bono said he would leave the stage for 10 minutes but the audience was soon told the performance would have to be cancelled.

There is some consolation for disappointed fans. The band had promised they would perform an extra show in Berlin to make up for the mishap.