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Celine Dion, 55, makes rare Grammys appearance amid Stiff Person Syndrome battle

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Celine presented the award for Album of the Year to Taylor Swift
Celine presented the award for Album of the Year to Taylor Swift

CELINE Dion has made a shocking return to the stage at the Grammys.

The beloved singer has stopped performing after she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome.

Celine Dion made a surprise appearance at the Grammys qhiddriedidreprw
Celine Dion made a surprise appearance at the GrammysCredit: Getty
She presented the award for album of the year
She presented the award for album of the yearCredit: AP

The Power Of Love hitmaker was recently forced to cancel her world tour due to the rare neurological disorder - which makes a person's muscles tense uncontrollably.

There is currently no cure for Stiff Person Syndrome, which can leave sufferers as "human statues," sometimes unable to walk or talk.

But Celine defied the odds, and presented the award for album of the year to Taylor Swift.

'Syndrome Celine Dion diagnosed with left me unable to put my socks on''Syndrome Celine Dion diagnosed with left me unable to put my socks on'

The 55-year-old was greeted with a standing ovation as she handed out the final award of the night.

"When I say that I'm happy to be here," Celine said, choking back tears of her own. "I really mean it."

HEALTH UPDATE

Shortly before the new year, the singer's sister Claudette issued an update on Celine's fight against the extremely rare neurological disorder.

Claudette said: "She's working hard, but she doesn't have control over her muscles. What breaks my heart is that she's always been disciplined.

"She's always worked hard. Our mother always told her 'You're going to do it well, you're going to do it properly."

Speaking to 7 Jours, Claudette added: "It's true that in both our dreams and hers, the goal is to return to the stage. In what capacity? I don't know."

The My Heart Will Go On hitmaker was forced to postpone the European leg of her world tour after being diagnosed with SPS before later axing all of the dates.

And Claudette revealed that, because vocal chords are also a muscle, Celine currently has no control over her voice.

She said: "The vocal cords are muscles, and the heart is also a muscle. This is what comes to get me. Because it's 1 out of a million case, the scientists haven't done that much research because it didn't affect that many people."

CELINE'S MESSAGE

Canadian superstar Celine previously told her fans she is trying to do what she can to minimise the symptoms.

Best and worst holiday package providers ranked with some big names falling downBest and worst holiday package providers ranked with some big names falling down

She explained: “Hello everyone, I’m sorry it's taken me so long to reach out to you. I miss you all so much and can’t wait to be on stage talking to you in person.

“As you know I’ve always been an open book and I wasn’t ready to say anything before but I’m ready now.

“I’ve been dealing with problems with my health for a long time and it's been really difficult for me to face my challenges and to talk about everything that I’ve been going through.

“Recently I’ve been diagnosed with a very rare neurological disorder called the stiff person syndrome which affects one in a million people.

“While we’re still learning about this rare condition, we now know this is what’s been causing all the spasms I’ve been having.”

After being forced to cancel her live shows, a defiant Celine insisted to fans that she will be back.

She said: "It's not fair to you to keep postponing the shows, and even though it breaks my heart, it's best that we cancel everything now until I'm really ready to be back on stage again. 

"I want you all to know, I'm not giving up… and I can't wait to see you again!"

Celine is battling Stiff Person Synsdrome
Celine is battling Stiff Person SynsdromeCredit: Getty
The singer was helped to the stage
The singer was helped to the stageCredit: Getty
Taylor accepted the award for Album of the Year for Midnights
Taylor accepted the award for Album of the Year for MidnightsCredit: Reuters

Dan Roberts

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