Elton cancels Million Dollar Piano show over illness

Singer Elton John was treated in hospital in Los Angeles for a serious respiratory infection that forced him to cancel performances of his The Million Dollar Piano show at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas this weekend.

In a statement posted on his website, the British entertainer, whose hits include Rocket Man, Your Song and Bennie and The Jets, apologised for the decision and told fans he hoped to be performing soon.

The singer said he developed a serious respiratory illness while performing on Sunday.

After the condition worsened he was hospitalised and had tests at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles where he remained throughout the day on Wednesday. He was given anti­biotics and told not to perform for a week.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these Million Dollar Piano concerts at The Colosseum.

“I love performing this show and will be thrilled when we return to The Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts soon to be scheduled,” he said.

Ticket holders are eligible for refunds or exchanges at the site where they bought tickets.

Sir Elton opened his Las Vegas act last September and began a second series of performances in February.

A child piano prodigy, Elton John, 65, rose from a part-time pub player to become one of the most successful recording artistes of all time.

He completed a five-year residency at The Colosseum in 2009 with The Red Piano, which ran for 241 shows.