Richie Sambora To Sit Out Bon Jovi's European And South African Shows

Rocker Richie Sambora has pulled out of Bon Jovi's upcoming European and South _A_frican concerts as he continues to address the "personal matter" which prompted him to bow out of a series of the band's North _A_merican shows.

The guitarist missed the group's gig in Calgary, Canada, on 2 _A_pril (13), and the Livin' on a Prayer hitmakers subsequently revealed Sambora would sit out of the rest of the performances on that leg of the Because We Can tour.

Sambora, who has been a member of Bon Jovi since 1983, thanked fans for their well wishes and insisted he would return to the stage "very soon" - but it has now emerged he is extending his hiatus.

A statement posted on the Bon Jovi website on Tuesday (30_A_pr13) reads, "Due to a personal matter, Richie Sambora will not be performing on the European and South _A_frican leg of the tour. _A_ll shows will go on as scheduled."

Bon Jovi is slated to kick off their South _A_frican dates in Cape Town next Tuesday (07May13), while the European shows will start in Bulgaria the following week (14May13).

Meanwhile, the band has postponed their hometown gig in New Jersey on 24 July (13) due to scheduling issues. The MetLife Stadium show will now take place on 27 July (13).