Sir Elton John hospitalised for 'serious respiratory infection'

Sir Elton John has been hospitalised for a "serious respiratory infection".

The 65-year-old music legend checked into Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai hospital at around 6am yesterday morning (May 23) and underwent a number of medical tests, TMZ reports.

Doctors have since recommended the singer doesn’t perform for seven days and gets “complete rest and antibiotic treatment to prevent damage”, meaning he has been forced to cancel four concerts scheduled to take place in Las Vegas this weekend.

Sir Elton has now been released from hospital and issued an apology to his fans.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these 'Million Dollar Piano' concerts at the Colosseum,” he told TMZ. “I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts. “All I can say to the fans is sorry I can't be with you."

However, this isn’t the first health scare the star has suffered. Back in 2009 he received treatment for a "serious case of E. coli bacterial infection and influenza" at the King Edward VII Hospital in Windsor, forcing him to cancel a number of shows.

"It's the first time I've been in bed for about nine days in the whole of my life," he told Sky News at the time. "Except for maybe when I had my tonsils out.

"So, I was alright. I had a good rest. I didn't expect it. The worst thing was having to cancel shows. I hate that. But I'm back on my feet and I'm bouncing around now."

Sir Elton has a 16-month-old son, Zachary, with his long-term partner, David Furnish, 49.

BY LOUISE SAUNDERS / STARLOUNGE