Michael Bublé has pulled out of hosting next month’s BRIT Awards, so he can focus on his son Noah’s battle with liver cancer. The three-year-old was diagnosed in 2016, prompting Buble to put his career on hold.

Being a father comes first.

Bublé made the “difficult” decision Monday night (Jan 16). He had initially been excited about the gig, posting a photo of him holding a rather obvious sign on his Instagram.

 

Soooo …… ummm …. yeah . I’m frickin’ hosting the @brits !! I’ve got some big shoes to fill. Four of ’em. @antanddecofficial #humbled #honoured #chuffed

A photo posted by Michael Bublé (@michaelbuble) on Oct 7, 2016 at 5:01am PDT

The show’s producers completely understand his choice and wish the best for him and his family.

“Out of respect for Michael the producers gave him as much time as he needed to make the decision, which they completely understood,” an inside source told The Sun.

But with Bublé backing out, the producers are now on the hunt for a replacement host. With the ceremony set to take place at the London O2 Arena on February 22, 2017, they had better move fast! According to People, a source says the officials are “exploring other options.”

Bublé and his wife, Luisana Lopilato, announced Noah’s condition after it was first published in Argentina’s La Nacion. The young Bublé underwent surgery at the end of 2016.

Bublé and his wife have not made any new announcements about Noah’s condition, asking for privacy.

“At this difficult time, we ask only for your prayers and respect for our privacy,” they wrote in a statement posted online in November. “We have a long journey in front of us and hope that with the support of family, friends and fans around the world, we will win this battle, God willing.”

Although Bublé is still set to host Canada’s Juno Awards in April, he has pulled out of London’s BBC Music Awards.