Sir Elton cancels final tour date

Sir Elton is hoping to reschedule the dates

Sir Elton John is "bitterly disappointed" after having to postpone the final concert of his Red Piano tour because of ill health.

He has already been forced to shelve several other dates because he has the flu, and a statement on his website said his "symptoms have not improved".

Promoters have apologised to fans and are attempting to reschedule the gigs for dates in December.

Tickets holders are being asked to retain their tickets.

'Great warmth'

The statement on Sir Elton's website said: "Elton's symptoms have not improved significantly enough for Doctors to allow him to perform this Friday at the O2 in Dublin."

Sir Elton's spokesman said the singer had chosen Dublin to close his tour because of the "great warmth of the people and the great concerts he had in the city over many years".

The 62-year-old had previously scrapped gigs in Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle and London.

Sir Elton and Billy Joel were forced to cancel US dates after Joel fell ill back in July.

Joel was told to rest after coming down with "flu-like symptoms" and "extreme fatigue".

Sir Elton and Joel had been touring together for two months under the banner Face 2 Face, selling out arenas across the US.