Sir Elton John has spoken about the reality of his appendicitis – admitting it could have killed him.
The singer, who on Tuesday was forced to cancel his upcoming headline gig in London’s Hyde Park, as well as his European tour, told The Sun: ‘I’m lucky to be alive.’ The 66-year-old, who described himself as a ‘ticking time bomb’, discovered his appendix abscess was potentially-fatal after he was forced to leave the stage during a concert on Friday due to agonising stomach pain – which he initially thought was down to food poising.
Speaking to the newspaper, he said: ‘I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time.” ‘I feel so lucky and so grateful to be alive. I played nine gigs and the White Tie and Tiara Summer Ball in agony.’
It wasn’t however until last Friday when playing in Halle Germany that eventually the pain became too much and he was forced to leave the stage halfway through his performance.
After medical tests revealed it was in fact an abscess, the father-of-two was given medication to reduce the swelling, as well as drugs to prevent a risk of septicemia. The singer, who is currently resting at his home in Windsor, is expected to undergo surgery in the UK in the next few weeks when doctors are sure they have reduced toxins around the inflamed appendix sufficiently. Doctors have advised him to cancel all forthcoming shows from his current tour, including the Hyde Park show this Friday which is part of the Barclaycard Presents British Summer Time Festival – he was expected to top a bill which also features Elvis Costello and Ray Davies. The singer’s spokesman said Sir Elton will not return to touring until fully recovered from the surgery and the damage caused by the abscess.
He went on: ‘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.’
Sir Elton John is expected to recovered enough to be one the acts, alongside Arctic Monkeys and recent number one Robin Thicke, who will make up a cross-generational London iTunes festival in September. The singer who confirmed the news on Tuesday, before the announcement about his appendicitis, said he believes the festival has a younger following than his normal audience.
He said: ‘I think it’s great that Apple makes these concerts accessible to everyone. For me, it’s a real thrill to play for young audiences – they’ve got so much energy and they all seem to know my songs!’ The singer will debut his first album for seven years at the festival, which takes place at London’s historic Roundhouse venue – where he has played some ‘memorable gigs’ in the past.
The Rocket Man singer and indie group Arctic Monkeys will join further acts on the line-up including Robin Thicke, Tom Odell, John Legend, Pixies, The Olms and No Ceremony.
