Status Quo have cancelled tonight's Rochester Castle concert just hours before the sell-out gig, due to guitarist Rick Parfitt falling ill.

A statement from Chris Hewlett PR and Management said: "It is with great regret that STATUS QUO are forced to reschedule tonight’s show at Rochester Castle. This unavoidable course of action is due to Rick Parfitt succumbing to a stomach complaint and being forced to rest after taking medical advice."

The company said the show will be rescheduled for July 13 next year, and that all tickets for the original show remain valid.

They say anyone unable to attend the new date and wishing a refund should return to their point of purchase.

Status Quo’s manager Simon Porter said: "We hate to have to cancel shows and hope that the fans realise that these situations are outside of our control.

"There’s absolutely no way that Rick could take to the stage and deliver the kind of performance that the band’s fans expect and deserve."

Disappointed fans tried to make the best of it in Rochester, drowning their sorrows in nearby pubs or going for an early dinner.

Dorothy Smith, from Gillingham, said: "I've looked forward to this for so long I could cry. It's like a kid going to a party and there's no party at the end.

"My husband was coming, my daughter was coming, but I feel sorry for everybody who's come tonight really. We haven't travelled very far but some people have travelled miles to see them.

"We just got here before six tonight and we thought it was some kind of joke when someone told us, but then we got here and found out it wasn't a joke.

"But these things happen, and I wish him luck and I hope he gets better."

Dave Cross: "I'm gutted, absolutely gutted, we've booked it up a while ago and we come here a few times to see the Quo, but what can you do? People get ill don't they? If he ain't well he ain't well.

"I've looked forward to this for so long I could cry. It's like a kid going to a party and there's no party at the end" - Status Quo fan Dorothy Smith

"I'll definitely be back next year. I've seen them over fifty times, I'm a true quo fan. I wouldn't miss it."

Not everyone was quite so upset, however.

Brian Hollands, from Rainham, said: "I'm not that bothered to be truthful. People fall ill, and they're old people aren't they, and old people get ill. If you book to watch aging rockers, you run the risk of them getting ill.

"I won't be booking to come back next year - I might be on world cruise by then or something."

Medway Council confirmed the whole of tonight's show had been cancelled, and that valid tickets could be exchanged for the 2016 show by calling the Box Office on 01634-338338 from 10am on Monday July 20.

A statement added: "We wish Rick a speedy recovery and would like thank the audience for their co-operation and understanding.

"Other Castle Concerts this week will go ahead as planned."

A statement on Status Quo's website tonight said: "It is with great regret that Quo are forced to reschedule tonight’s show at Rochester Castle.

"This unavoidable course of action is due to Rick Parfitt succumbing to a stomach complaint and being forced to rest after taking medical advice.

"Anyone unable to attend the new date and wishing a refund should return to their point of purchase.

"The band are primarily known for their touring and live shows, and the cancellation of shows is always a last resort."

The cancellation has caused upset for thousands of fans, who had bought £37.50 tickets for the sell-out event.

Rebecca Arnold tweeted to say she had "one devastated seven-year-old who had been counting down the days" to her first Quo gig.

The event would have brought together three generations of the same family.