Elton John ‘Grateful to be alive’ after appendicitis

Elton John says he is grateful to be alive after learning he had been playing during his European tour while suffering from undiagnosed appendicitis.

The 66-year-old said he struggled through most of the shows in pain, believing he had food poisoning. He later learned that he had appendicitis.

“I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time. I feel so lucky and grateful to be alive.”

On Tuesday, John cancelled shows in London’s Hyde Park as well as other summer dates while he is treated for an inflamed appendix. He will have surgery later this week after treatment with antibiotics.