Criss Angel's son diagnosed with blood cancer

American magician Criss Angel's son diagnosed with a type of blood cancer

Los Angeles: American magician Criss Angel's toddler son Johnny Crisstopher Sarantakos has been diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of blood cancer.

Angel consequently cancelled his Las Vegas show "Criss Angel BeLIEve" to travel to Australia and be with his ailing son, reported Aceshowbiz.

He wrote on Twitter, "In light of a family emergency the news I was going to announce this weekend will be postponed. Thank you."

The 47-year-old magician never confirmed that he had a child let alone that he married the boy's Australian mother.

Part of his private life was revealed to public on Friday when he posted a photo of him holding his 20-month-old son. "Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. Criss," Angel tweeted.

All of his shows at the Luxor have been shelved and will commence on November 4.

It was the first time he had missed a date in his nearly 3,000 performances at the hotel. Refunds and exchanges for the cancelled shows are available at the original point of purchase.

A statement from Cirque du Soleil said, "It has been a passion of Criss' for many years to champion and raise money for various children's charities, but he never thought it would hit this close to home. This is a very personal family crisis." Angel is a supporter of Make-A-Wish Foundation.