The 62-year-old singer, who is being treated at the King Edward VII Hospital in central London, is also suffering from influenza.

A statement on his official website said doctors had advised him to postpone three concerts which he was due to perform with Billy Joel in the US early next month.

The statement said: "The Elton John/Billy Joel Face 2 Face concerts originally scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, Saturday, November 7, and Tuesday, November 10, have been postponed.

"Promoter Live Nation, The KeyArena and The Rose Garden were informed by management that Elton has been advised by his doctor to postpone these performances due to a serious case of E. coli bacterial infection and influenza.

"Organisers of the events are working to establish new dates.

"All patrons who have purchased tickets for the Face 2 Face concerts on Wednesday, November 4, and Saturday, November 7, at the Key Arena, Seattle, and on Tuesday, November 10, at Rose Garden Arena, Portland, are being asked to hold on to their tickets until more information is available regarding the proposed rescheduled engagement."

The Mail on Sunday reported that Sir Elton was taken to the hospital, which has treated members of the Royal Family, on Friday after his condition worsened.

The musician's partner David Furnish spent much of Friday there and, as he left, said: "He's OK, he's fine."