Lionel Richie will return as a judge on the 25th season of the ABC singing competition “American Idol,” despite recent health issues. The announcement was made during the Luke Bryan & Friends concert on Thursday at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, where Richie joined fellow judges Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. While Bryan and Underwood appeared in person, Richie participated via video.

The 77-year-old musician has faced several health challenges in recent months. In June, during the opening night of his tour with Earth, Wind & Fire in Minnesota, Richie experienced dizziness mid-performance, leading him to end the show early and seek medical attention. He was hospitalized again in late August following a concert in St. Louis, and was admitted to the hospital once more this week.

Richie’s representative later confirmed that the singer underwent an ablation procedure, a common treatment for atrial fibrillation, a heart condition characterized by irregular heartbeat. As a result of his health issues, Richie canceled three upcoming tour dates scheduled through October 2.

Despite these setbacks, Richie remains committed to his role on “American Idol” alongside Bryan and Underwood as the show prepares for its milestone 25th season.