Sir Elton John has postponed all of the forthcoming shows on his current European tour after being taken ill with appendicitis. The 66-year-old singer called in doctors after falling ill on the tour. "Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates," his spokesman said.
"To know that he made such super-human efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans. He is eager to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013."
The father-of-two is currently undergoing a course of intensive antibiotics and is expected to undergo surgery in the UK in the coming weeks, once doctors can be confident they have reduced toxins within the inflamed appendicitis site.
The cancellations include the eagerly-awaited headline show due to take place in London's Hyde Park on Friday but the show will go on with support acts including Elvis Costello and Gabrielle Aplin.
Sir Elton John and partner David Furnish welcomed celebrity guests to their annual legendary White Tie and Tiara Ball in London at the end of June. Sir Elton looked to be in good health at the time.
The star-studded guestlist included A-listers Uma Thurman, Elizabeth Hurley, Samantha Barks and boyfriend David Gandy, Matthew Morrison and Chris Martin.
A highlight of the evening was when hosts Elton and David announced Glee star Matthew Morrison's engagement to his model girlfriend of two years, Renee Puente.Elton and Coldplay singer Chris Martin then took to the stage to serenade the happy couple with a duet of Your Song which fitted neatly with the theme of the night, "Love".
The hitmaker and partner David became dad to Zachary Furnish-John in 2010 and to Elijah Furnish-John at the beginning of 2013. The flamboyant superstar's career has spanned five decades and seen him sell in excess of 250 million records.