Kylie Minogue yesterday vowed to her fans she would "be back with you all again soon" after revealing she had been diagnosed with breast cancer.

The 36-year-old is to have immediate treatment for the cancer, which is in its early stages.

Kylie postponed the Australian leg of her tour, due to start tomorrow, and pulled out of her headline appearance at Glastonbury.

The former Neighbours actress thanked wellwishers for their messages of support and was said to be in strong spirits.

She was due to fly to Sydney today to begin rehearsals for the Australian Showgirl tour. But she remained in Melbourne with her family and boyfriend of two years, French actor Olivier Martinez, 39.

Kylie apologised for disappointing fans. She told them: "I was so looking forward to bringing the Showgirl tour to Australia and to Glastonbury, and am sorry to have to disappoint my fans.

"Nevertheless, hopefully all will work out fine and I'll be back with you all again soon."

Her sister Dannii Minogue, 33, said: "The news is very upsetting, although as the cancer has been diagnosed at such an early stage we are all very optimistic that everything will be okay," she said.

Kylie's great uncle Ronald Riddiford, 73, from Maesteg, South Wales, said: "I am shocked, the whole family has been shocked to hear the news. You have just got to hope for the best.

Ex-Neighbours co-star Jason Donovan said Kylie would fight the disease, adding she is "a strong woman who will fight this battle on every front".

Kylie's tour promoter, Michael Gudinski, said: "The one thing I know about Kylie is that she's a fighter, and we're all thinking very, very positively and can't wait for the day she is smiling and back in action.

Experts say breast cancer is rare in someone of Kylie's age - about 2,000 women in their 20s and 30s are diagnosed in the UK every year.

Celebrities get breast cancer too - Page 12