Sir Elton John has been diagnosed with appendicitis and has postponed tour dates and festival appearances across Europe, according to a press release posted on his website. Doctors have advised the 66-year old, who regularly performs in excess of 120 concerts per year, to postpone forthcoming tour dates in order to recuperate from the illness.
A spokesman for John announced that after “following a number of exploratory scans and blood tests with his medical team in the UK,” Elton has been put on an “intensive antibiotics” and is expected to undergo surgery “in the coming weeks.”
“Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates,” his spokesman added, and will not return to touring until he is fully recovered from his planned surgery.
Sir Elton had been scheduled to perform at the Collisioni festival in Italy on Tuesday, Germany on Thursday, and a headlining gig at London’s Hyde Park on Friday. Other July shows postponed include festivals in Spain, France and Monaco.
Elton is expected to be back on the stage in September to perform at the First Direct Arena in Leeds before he heads back to Las Vegas for a month-long residency at The Colosseum.
“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,” his spokesman said, he also added that Elton is eager “to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013.”
