Sir Elton John has cancelled his remaining summer concert dates after falling ill with appendicitis.
The 'Rocket Man' singer has been forced to postpone shows - including performing at the Collisioni festival in Italy tonight (09.07.13), and at Hyde Park in London on Friday (12.07.13) - on the advice of doctors.
Blood tests have confirmed the singer is suffering from an appendix abscess surrounding retrocaecal appendicitis.
Elton, 66, is currently undergoing a course of intensive antibiotics and is expected to undergo surgery in the UK in the coming weeks. He will not return to the stage until fully recovered from the surgery and any damage caused by the appendix abscess.
A spokesperson for the 'Your Song' star said: "Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates. 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."
Other July dates which have been postponed include festivals in Spain, France and Monaco.
Anyone who has a ticket for Elton's headline show at the Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park in London on Friday (12.07.13) will have their tickets refunded, but the concert will still go ahead with Elvis Costello, Kinks legend Ray Davies Gabrielle Aplin and Nick Lowe all performing.
In addition, a number of free tickets for the show have been made available. All fans need to do is print out a ticket from bst-hydepark.com/12julyupdate
Tagged in Ray Davies Sir Elton John Gabrielle Aplin