JIMMY Barnes has had a health scare.

But the good news is, Barnsey is expected to make a full recovery in time to begin rehearsals with Cold Chisel in September for the legendary band’s October tour, which comes to the Rockhampton Showgrounds with You Am I on the 27th .

He should also be fit and well for his solo performance at the Dingo Race Day on October 1 with Jon Stevens, The Black Sorrows and Shoeless Joe.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the tour promoters, it announced the Australian singer and song writer became ill around lunchtime and there was an initial concern the problem may relate to his heart and he might need hospitalisation.

However, doctors advised he must have four weeks of total rest and recuperation.

“Jimmy recently completed a grueling European tour and returned to Australia just in time for the launch of Cold Chisel’s tour last week. He had been battling a lingering viral flu for some time,” the statement said.

Barnsey had to cancel or postpone some solo shows which were planned between now and the end of August, but the statement said he was expected to recover before the October tour.

Barnsey said he hated to cancel shows and had rarely had to cancel in his career, spanning more than 30 years.

“Sorry to anyone who’s been let down by this but I’ll be back on deck in a few weeks time,” he said.