Elton John 'deeply sorry' for cancelled Florida shows due to ear infection
The Rocket Man has posted a message to fans on social media, saying: "I promise I will be back to make it up to you."
Wednesday 28 November 2018 16:28, UK
Sir Elton John has said he is "deeply sorry" to fans in Florida after he was forced to cancel two shows due to an ear infection.
Organisers of the gig at the Amway Centre in Orlando, Florida - part of the star's huge world farewell tour - announced at the event on Tuesday that the 71-year-old singer was ill and unable to perform.
His show in Tampa on Wednesday has also been called off.
Sir Elton posted a photo on Instagram announcing "I'll be back", with a message apologising for "letting fans down" and saying the shows would be rescheduled.
"We always play 100% live and with impaired hearing and ear pain, I wouldn't have been able to deliver the performance that my fans deserve," the star said. "I absolutely hate letting my fans down and it was an incredibly hard decision to take.
"I will take a couple of days rest to allow the infection to clear up fully, and both shows will be rescheduled as soon as possible. I promise I will be back to make it up to you and apologise for all the inconvenience."
His next show is due to take place in Atlanta on Friday.
In a statement on Twitter on Tuesday, the Amway Centre said: "We're sorry to announce that due to an ear infection, Elton John is unable to perform tonight.
"The rescheduled Orlando date will be announced in the near future so please hold onto your tickets."
The venue was also forced to dismiss rumours of a bomb threat, replying to one Twitter user: "As we have stated from the outset, tonight's show was canceled due to an ear infection. All other explanations are unfounded. The new Orlando and Tampa dates will be announced in the near future."
Some fans vented their frustrations on social media, with one writing: "Tickets to @eltonofficial: way too expensive That feeling when they tell you the show is canceled 30 mins after the show was supposed to start: (angry emoji)."
Sir Elton started his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in the US in September, and plans to play more than 300 shows across the world until 2021.
Two UK dates are confirmed for next year, with 13 more in November and December 2020.