EXC Lewis Capaldi’s girlfriend is ‘supporting and comforting’ singer as he takes a break

Lewis Capaldi is being supported by his actress girlfriend after announcing an extended break from touring due to his Tourette’s syndrome.

Ellie MacDowall prompted speculation that she and Lewis, 26, had split when she didn’t go to Glastonbury to watch him alongside his family.

But MailOnline can reveal that they are still together and Ellie, 23, is at his side as he takes a break from touring ‘for the foreseeable future’ as he needs to spend ‘much more time getting my mental and physical health in order.’

A friend of the singer said: ‘Lewis needs to be around those who love him at the moment and Ellie is supporting and comforting him through this really difficult time.

‘He absolutely adores her. She wasn’t at Glastonbury but his parents were, along with his very supportive team that he has around him. As soon as he got home, Ellie made sure she was here for him.’

Love: Lewis Capaldi, 26, is being supported by his actress girlfriend Ellie Macdowall, 23, (pictured) after announcing an extended break from touring due to his Tourette’s syndrome

Rumours: Ellie MacDowell prompted speculation that she and Lewis, 26, had split when she didn’t go to Glastonbury to watch him alongside his family (Lewis pictured at Glastonbury) 

Ellie, who is reportedly to star as Cary Grant’s daughter in an ITV biopic, lives in London but spends a lot of time in Scotland where Lewis’s family live in Bathgate, West Lothian.

The pair enjoy hiking in the mountains together near his family home where he spent the pandemic with his parents, two brothers and a sister with whom he has a close relationship with.

He even introduced them to new girlfriend Ellie during a trip to Hollywood this week.

Lewis prompted fears for the future of his music career, and his health, as he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set on Saturday – prompting the audience to take over the singing in what was one of the most emotional scenes ever to take place at the festival.

On Tuesday the star, 26, took to social media to announce that he will not be touring as it is ‘obvious’ he needs to spend some time off. 

The decision, which he branded ‘the most difficult of my life’, reveals the true toll the condition is taking on the hitmaker, who has been remarkably open about his mental health struggles in the past.

He added that those closest to him have supported him endlessly over the past year as he battled crippling anxiety and his tics worsened. 

While Lewis didn’t reference Ellie specifically in his statement, he did thank his loved ones for being there for him. 

Support: MailOnline can reveal that they are still together and Ellie is at his side as he takes a break from touring ‘for the foreseeable future’ (pictured together in May)

Sorry: Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year

Emotional: Lewis prompted fears for his health, as he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set on Saturday – prompting the audience to take over the singing

The Scotsman had already taken three weeks off before his gig on the Pyramid Stage at the weekend, but admitted on Tuesday it was not enough and that he was ‘still learning to adjust to the impact of my Tourette’s.’ 

He previously opened up about his heartbreaking struggle with Tourette’s syndrome in a Netflix documentary. 

The singer-songwriter became emotional as he started losing his voice during the performance, prompting him to apologise to the crowds – who then helped him finish his songs in heartwarming footage that quickly went viral. 

But posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year. 

He wrote: ‘Hello everyone. First of all thank you to Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards. It really does mean the world,’ 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 I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.

‘I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.’

‘I know I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can’t and I’d like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who’ve been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I’ve needed it more than ever.’

‘I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possible can. All my love always, Lewis’. 

Lewis had 24 remaining dates scheduled for his Broken by Desire to Be Heavenly Sent tour, ending in Belfast at Boucher Road Playing Fields on September 3.

Lewis and Ellie’s romance was confirmed at the earlier this year when they were seen together at a BRITs after-party.

Supportive: Lewis’ girlfriend Ellie was by his side as he toured Ireland in February

Sweet: The actress travelled all the way to California in April and proudly shared a video of him on stage on Instagram

They went as one another’s dates to the Universal music’s bash, where they were later seen snogging on the sofas. Beforehand, they were spotted at London’s O2 during the award show looking every bit loved-up, they even shared a kiss in the audience.

Last month Lewis’s parents Carol – a nurse, and his fishmonger father Mark, met Ellie when they visited Hollywood with him.

He even introduced them to new girlfriend Ellie MacDowall during a trip to Hollywood this week.

Budding actress Ellie studied dance for commercial performance for three years at The MGA Academy of Performing Arts, where she graduated from in 2020.