Sick Dion back on Las Vegas stage

Dion performs about 165 Las Vegas shows every year

Canadian singer Celine Dion is performing in Las Vegas again after a viral infection caused her to cancel six shows last month.

The 38-year-old was struck down with labyrinthitis - an inflammation of the inner ear causing dizziness.

Dion said she refused to take medication after learning it could dry out her vocal chords but added she was now "95% better".

Dion's show, A New Day, opened at Caesars Palace in March 2003.

Charity show

She decided to "take a chance" and return to the show after a doctor said jittery movements in her eyes had stopped.

"It's hard to do a show, but it's harder not to do it," Dion said.

"When you come back, you're afraid. You're scared and you're like, kind of ashamed.

"Then you talk to yourself and say, 'You're a human being, it can happen'."

Dion will perform her 500th show at Caesars Palace on Sunday, which will raise $1m (£541,436) for 10 local charities.

The performer said she is excited about the show, with some concertgoers paying up to $10,000 (£5,414) for two front-row seats.

She said: "It's amazing that people wanted to come and make a difference, too. It's rewarding. It's wonderful."

Dion's run at the 4,100 seat theatre is due to run until the end of 2007.