Elton John’s recent health issues meant more than just cancelled tour dates, they threatened to end the gay icon’s life, according to the Candle in The Wind singer himself. “I'm lucky to be alive," he said, according to The NME. "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."

Elton JohnGet well soon Elton!

The culprit was a nasty case of appendicitis, which, despite its common nature, can be a killer. It forced him out of London's Hyde Park on July 12 as well as the Collisioni festival in Italy last night (July 9) and a show in Germany tomorrow (July 11). Dates including festivals in Spain, France and Monaco have also been cancelled because of the illness. “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,” said a statement on his website.

The Hyde Park show has to go on, though, and will do with Kinks frontman Ray Davies, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe and Gabrielle Aplin all on the bill. James Russell, Head of Events and Filming at The Royal Parks said: "I know that many people were looking forward to seeing Elton John perform on the Great Oak Stage this Friday and we wish him well. We still have a fantastic line-up for Friday night and this gives us the opportunity to extend our free offering for this event, giving more fans the opportunity to see and experience everything Barclaycard presents British Summer Time Hyde Park has to offer."

Elton JohnElton John is famously busy, so these cancelled dates will hurt

We at Contact Music would like to wish Sir Elton John a full and speedy recovery!