Singer Justin Bieber has revealed he is suffering from facial paralysis after cancelling shows this week.

The 28-year-old said in an Instagram video that the condition is due to a diagnosis of Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

“As you can see this eye is not blinking. I can’t smile on this side of my face… So there’s full paralysis on this side of my face,” he said.

Ramsay Hunt syndrome is when a shingles outbreak affects the facial nerve near someone’s ears, say medical experts.

Earlier this week, Bieber’s Justice World Tour – which began in February – announced three shows would be postponed.

“It is from this virus that attacks the nerve in my ear and my facial nerves and has caused my face to have paralysis,” the Canada-born singer said in the three-minute video, indicating the right side of his face.

He asked for his fans to be patient, and said of his forthcoming shows that he is “physically, obviously, not capable of doing them”.