Elton John rushed to hospital

Sir Elton John was rushed to hospital earlier this week with a serious respiratory infection which forced the gay pop icon to cancel some of this weekend’s concerts.

Celebrity gossip news site TMZ.com reported John was checked into a LA hospital at 6am on Wednesday morning.

After a number of tests, doctors recommended that the 65-year-old performer refrain from peforming for a week.

The singer had to cancel four concerts over the weekend in Las Vegas.

“It feels strange not to be able to perform these ‘Million Dollar Piano’ concerts at the Colosseum … I love performing the show and I will be thrilled when we return to the Colosseum in October to complete the 11 concerts,” John told TMZ.

He also apologised to fans and said he was sorry he couldn’t perform.

Reports said John had been released from hospital.