Elton John forced to stop New Zealand gig after pneumonia diagnosis

Elton John has been forced to stop one of his New Zealand gigs early after a pneumonia diagnosis. The singer was visibly upset as he lost his voice in the middle of his performance at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium on Sunday (16th February).

"I've just completely lost my voice. I can't sing. I've got to go. I'm sorry," Elton told the audience, who gave him a standing ovation as he left the stage.

In the video below, Elton can be seen walking to the side of the stage, accompanied by a member of the crew who comforts the singer, as he struggles to hold back the emotions of having to cut his performance short.

Elton later took to Twitter to explain what had happened, telling his fans that he had been diagnosed with 'walking pneumonia' earlier that day, but he was 'determined to give (you) the best show humanly possible.'

He continued in another tweet, 'I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had.'

Support for Elton has been flooding in with many of those who were at his concert telling him to 'take care' and 'rest.

Elton then took to Twitter again to thank his fans for their 'extraordinary support' and 'love'.

According to the tour's promotors, Elton is expected to carry on with his tour tomorrow (18th February) in Auckland.

Elton will bring his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' tour to the UK in November and December 2020.

This weekend on Greatest Hits Superstars, we celebrate the partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin.

In this special two-part programme, we look at the origins of their partnership, the creation of some of their greatest hits such as 'Your Song' and 'Rocket Man', and how they still keep things fresh after almost 50 years in the business.

Listen to Greatest Hits Superstars: Elton and Bernie Part 1

Join us for part 2 this Friday (21st February) at 9pm and Sunday (23rd February) at 4pm exclusively on Greatest Hits Radio.

Love the Greatest Hits? Love our new weekend line-up:

• Elton John