Elton Has E.coli Bacterial Infection And Influenza

Sir Elton John has been forced to postpone three concerts in the US this month because of ill-health. A statement on his official website said the 62-year-old singer had a "serious case" of E.coli bacterial infection and influenza. It added that his doctor had advised him to pull out of the gigs in Seattle and Portland. The move comes after he cancelled several UK dates in October. His spokesman said on Sunday: "He has flu and is absolutely fine." Sir Elton postponed a Dublin concert on Thursday after shelving gigs in London, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle. He is reportedly being treated at a hospital in central London. Promoters say they are hoping to reschedule the European dates - part of his Red Piano tour - for December. Details of plans to reschedule the US concerts, on 4 and 7 November at Seattle's Key Arena and 10 November at Rose Garden Arena, Portland, are yet to be announced. He had been due to perform alongside Billy Joel, whose own sickness forced the pair to cancel several joint performances in the US in July. Joel was told to rest after coming down with "flu-like symptoms" and "extreme fatigue". Sir Elton and Joel had been touring together for two months under the banner Face 2 Face, selling out arenas across the US.