Photo: WENN.com
Elton John has pulled out of his headline slot at this week's Hyde Park Barclay Summertime Festival after being struck down with appendicitis.
The music legend was scheduled to perform at the show on Friday 12 July 2013, topping the bill ahead of Elvis Costello and Ray Davies - but his performance has been scrapped and his European summer dates postponed.
The Hyde Park show will now be a free event - and ticket holders will be refunded the price of tickets purchased for the show.
"We certainly wish Elton a speedy recovery and know that he would have hated for us to cancel the whole day’s events because of this," says Rob Hallett, President, International Live Touring, AEG Live. "In the beautiful surroundings of Hyde Park and the incredible weather we are having, our show goes on! And there’s no better way to enjoy the start of our final weekend with a free event for all to enjoy with some excellent headline artists topping off even more great entertainment in our 10-day event."
"Following a number of exploratory scans and blood tests with his medical team in the UK, a diagnosis of appendix abscess surrounding retrocaecal appendicitis has been confirmed," said a spokesperson for the star.
"Sir Elton is currently undergoing a course of intensive antibiotics and is expected to undergo surgery in the UK in the coming weeks, once doctors can be confident they have sufficiently reduced toxins within the inflamed appendicitis site."
"Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates," the rep continues. "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."
Elton John has cancelled his performance this Friday (12 July, 2013)
Elton John was today announced as another headliner at this year's iTunes festival along with Arctic Monkeys and The Pixies. He is also scheduled to headline this year's Bestival.
Rescheduled dates for Elton John's European tour are yet to be announced.
Below: Elton John shocks Michael Caine - with yacht-to-yacht flashing
