Sir Elton John has said he is "lucky to be alive" and could have very nearly died after his latest appendicitis health scare. "I was a ticking time bomb," said Elton. "I guess I could have died at any time. I feel so lucky and grateful to be alive."The phenomenal singer was diagnosed with the illness while on his European tour, and had to call in doctors. Following a number of exploratory scans and blood tests with his medical team, he was given the prognosis.
Elton, 66, struggled through ten performances in agony, with the pain affecting him so much at one point that he had to walk off stage during a concert in Germany.He is undergoing a course of intensive antibiotics and is expected to have surgery in the coming weeks, according to his official website. Elton will not return to touring until he has fully recovered from the operation and any damage caused by the appendix abscess.The father-of-two, who has sons Zachary and Elijah Joseph Daniel with his partner David Furnish, has had to cancel his upcoming concerts.Elton was due to headline at this Friday's gig in Hyde Park, but the show will go on with supporting acts Elvis Costello and Gabrielle Aplin taking the stage among other acts. Ticket-holders will be refunded for their purchases.
The singer has also reluctantly cancelled his festivals in Spain, France and Monaco where he was scheduled to perform in July. "Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates," said his spokesman. "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.
Elton was due to return from his European tour in September to perform in Leeds and at Bestival, and hopes to be fully recovered by then.
