Lewis Capaldi is being supported by his actress girlfriend after announcing an extended break from touring due to his Tourette syndrome.
Ellie MacDowall sparked speculation that she and Lewis, 26, had split when she failed to go to Glastonbury to see him with his family.
But MailOnline can reveal they’re still together and that Ellie, 23, is by his side as he takes a break from touring “for the foreseeable future” as he needs to “spend a lot more time getting my mental and physical health’.
A friend of the singer said: ‘Lewis needs to be around those who love him right now and Ellie is supporting and comforting him through this difficult time.
“He absolutely adores her. She wasn’t at Glastonbury, but his parents were, along with the very supportive team he has around him. As soon as he got home, Ellie made sure she was there for him.”
Love: Lewis Capaldi, 26, is supported by his actress girlfriend Ellie Macdowall, 23, (pictured) after announcing an extended break from touring due to his Tourette syndrome
Rumors: Ellie MacDowell sparked speculation that she and Lewis, 26, had split when she failed to go to Glastonbury to see him with his family (Lewis pictured at Glastonbury)
Ellie, who will reportedly play Cary Grant’s daughter in an ITV biopic, lives in London but spends a lot of time in Scotland, where Lewis’ family lives in Bathgate, West Lothian.
The pair enjoy hiking together in the mountains near his childhood home, where he spent the pandemic with his parents, two brothers and a sister with whom he is very close.
He even introduced them to new girlfriend Ellie on a trip to Hollywood this week.
Lewis sparked fears for the future of his music career and his health as he struggled to complete his Glastonbury set on Saturday. .
On Tuesday, the star, 26, took to social media to announce he won’t be touring because it’s “obvious” he needs some time off.
The decision, which he labeled “the hardest of my life,” reveals the true toll the condition takes on the hitmaker, who has been remarkably open about his past mental health struggles.
He added that those closest to him have supported him endlessly over the past year as he struggled with crippling anxiety and his tics worsened.
While Lewis didn’t specifically refer to Ellie in his statement, he did thank his loved ones for being there for him.
Support: MailOnline can reveal they’re still together and that Ellie is by his side as he takes a break from touring ‘for the foreseeable future’ (pictured together in May)
Sorry: Lewis posted to Instagram on Tuesday confirming he was canceling the planned 24 live dates he had planned for the rest of the year
Emotional: Lewis caused fears for his health as he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set on Saturday – prompting audiences to take over the singing
The Scot had already taken three weeks off for his performance on the Pyramid Stage over the weekend but admitted on Tuesday it wasn’t enough and he was “still learning to adapt to the impact of my Gilles de la Tourette ‘.
He previously opened up about his heartbreaking struggle with Tourette’s syndrome in a Netflix documentary.
The singer-songwriter got emotional when he started losing his voice during the performance, prompting him to apologize to the audience – who then helped him finish his songs in heartwarming images that quickly went viral.
But after posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was canceling the planned 24 live dates he had planned for the rest of the year.
He wrote: ‘Hello everyone. First of all I want to thank Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the great messages afterwards. It really means everything,’ he began.
“The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, but I’m very sorry to let you know that I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.
‘I used to enjoy every second of these kinds of shows and I had hoped that 3 weeks away would help me. But the truth is that I’m still learning to adapt to the impact of my Gilles de la Tourette and on Saturday it became clear that I need to spend a lot more time getting my mental and physical health in order so that I can keep doing everything I love long ago.’
“I know I am incredibly lucky to be able to take some time out when others can’t and I want to thank my wonderful family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who have been so supportive every step of the way. of the way through the good times and even more during the past year when I have needed it more than ever.”
“I’m so incredibly sorry for everyone who was planning on coming to a show before the end of the year, but I have to feel good to perform at the level you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of, so this was the hardest decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as possible. All my love always, Lewis’.
Lewis had 24 more dates planned for his Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent tour, which ends in Belfast at Boucher Road Playing Fields on September 3.
Lewis and Ellie’s romance was confirmed earlier this year when they were spotted together at a BRIT’s after party.
Supportive: Lewis’ girlfriend Ellie was by his side when he toured Ireland in February
Sweet: The actress traveled all the way to California in April and proudly shared a video of him on stage on Instagram
They went as each other’s dates to Universal Music’s bash, where they were later seen kissing on the couches. Beforehand, they were spotted at London’s O2 during the awards show and they all looked in love, even sharing a kiss in the audience.
Last month, Lewis’ parents Carol, a nurse, and his father Mark, the fishmonger, met Ellie when they took him to Hollywood.
He even introduced them to new girlfriend Ellie MacDowall on a trip to Hollywood this week.
Budding actress Ellie studied dance for commercial performance at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts for three years, graduating in 2020.