Supergroup U2 cut short a show during their world tour after performing only a few songs as lead singer and self-styled Saviour of Mankind, Bono, appeared to be have been overcome and was unable to continue.

All had started well as he walked on stage with the band, although there was a moment when clearly struggling to see because of his his trademark dark sunglasses, he banged his head on a piece of the set . However he recovered quickly and was soon blessing the crowd with a holy water cannon and incense-laced smoke machine.

Then suddenly after a powerhouse rendition of Where The Streets Have No Name faded, and just as The Edge’s eerie echoing guitar played the opening bars to I still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono dropped to his knees and a bright-green halo surrounded him.

With his mic still live the crowd heard him say: ‘Heavenly Father, if it be thy will, then take this great burden from me,’ before looking skyward. When no reply came he stood up saying: ‘Sometimes it’s just too much to bear. Sorry, guys,’ before walking off into the wings followed moments later by the other band members.

Returning fifteen minutes later but without Bono it was left to Larry Mullen Jr. to tell the crowd Bono wouldn’t be returning as he was off to have a snooze in a cave for three days; but not to worry as he’d be back fronting the band in plenty of time for the opening night of the French leg of the tour.