Flu-hit Sir Elton John in 'royal' hospital after two-week illness
By James Millbank And Amanda Perthen
Last updated at 12:27 AM on 01st November 2009
Sir Elton John was last night in hospital suffering from ‘flu with complications’.
The 62-year-old’s partner David Furnish spent most of yesterday at his bedside at King Edward VII Hospital in Marylebone, London, which specialises in looking after the Royal Family.
He was also visited in his £515-a-night room by celebrity friends including artist Sam Taylor-Wood.
Sir Elton has been cared for by the hospital’s elite medical staff since Friday, when it is understood his two-week illness worsened.
Sir Elton John's 'Red Piano Tour' had to be cut short due to his illness
Flu complications can refer to bronchitis, viral or bacterial pneumonia, muscle inflammations and infections of the central nervous system. Those at highest risk include the over-50s and children under four.
On Friday, Sir Elton cancelled the last leg of his Red Piano tour in Dublin, having earlier pulled out of concerts at Sheffield, Newcastle upon Tyne, Liverpool and Wembley. But he did play in Barcelona last Tuesday.
He also missed Boyzone star Stephen Gately’s funeral two weeks ago, with Mr Furnish attending in his absence.
Sir Elton’s spokesman confirmed that he was being treated for flu with complications but declined to elaborate beyond saying: ‘He has got an infection, flu and everything that goes with it.’
Energetic: Sir Elton John performing in Barcelona earlier this month
When Mr Furnish left the hospital later, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, he said: ‘He’s OK – he’s fine.’
In 1999, Sir Elton was rushed from France to The Wellington Hospital in London to have a pacemaker fitted after tests revealed an irregular heartbeat.
He suffered addictions to drugs, alcohol and junk food in the Eighties, leaving him in a terrible physical and mental state which he blamed for the breakdown of his marriage to Renate Blauel.
The star also admitted to US talk-show host Larry King in 2002 that, like his friend Princess Diana, he was bulimic.
He said: ‘It took me 16 years of drug addiction and alcoholism to have the humility to say, “I need help.”’
King Edward VII Hospital has some of the world’s leading doctors. Royals treated there include the Queen, Philip, Charles and Sophie Wessex, who was flown there after an ectopic pregnancy. The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret were also treated at the hospital.
Edited Oct-31 by MARYINFL8
