Eminem, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, is being treated for addiction to sleep medication.

In a brief statement, publicist Dennis Dennehy said the star was \"in the hospital under doctors\' care\".

Eminem, 32, was due to begin his Anger Management tour in Hamburg, Germany, on 1 September. It was due to end in Dublin on 17 September.

He had just completed a 23-date tour of the US when he announced he would no longer undertake his European commitments.

His record label, Interscope, said the cancellation was down to \"exhaustion and other unnamed medical issue\"\".

Eminem has played down reports he is planning to retire from the music business but said he may take an extended break.