Elton John pulls out of British Summer Time

British Summer Time 2013

Friday 5th to Sunday 14th July 2013
Hyde Park, Park Lane, Kensington & Chelsea, Greater London, W2 2UH, England MAP
from £35 to £495

Daily capacity: 65,000

Singer Elton John has had to cancel his headline performance this Friday, 12th July, at AEG Live's new flagship event British Summer Time in Hyde Park in London due to illness.

A spokesman for Sir Elton John has confirmed the singer is suffering from appendicitis. Elton called in doctors after falling ill during his recent European tour and a diagnosis of appendix abscess surrounding retrocaecal appendicitis has been confirmed.

Elton is expected to undergo surgery in the UK in the coming weeks, once doctors can be confident they have sufficiently reduced toxins within the inflamed appendicitis site. He has been advised by his doctors and surgical team to postpone all forthcoming shows from his current European tour (this includes the headline show due to take place at Hyde Park in London as part of the Barclaycard British Summer Time Festival this coming Friday).

The spokesman confirmed on Elton John's website, (here), Elton will not return to touring until he has fully recovered from both the planned surgery and any damage caused by the appendix abscess, although his headline show at Bestival in September is still looking likely at present.

The spokesman is quoted as saying, "Elton is incredibly disappointed to postpone these tour dates. To know that he made such super-human efforts and continued to perform to thousands through his illness only confirms his dedication to his European fans. He is eager to be back on top form and return to play the remaining shows starting in early September 2013."

The organisers of BST have confirmed that they will now make the night a free event. They said, "AEG Live and The Royal Parks confirm that the show will go on with the remaining stellar line-up for free and existing ticket holders will receive a full refund. "

Existing ticket holders for Friday 12th July will automatically receive a full refund - the full value of their original ticket orders will be credited to the original payment method within 7 working days. And by bringing their existing tickets along to Barclaycard presents British Summer Time, Hyde Park on Friday they will be given free access. AEG Live is also making further tickets available for Friday 12th July.

The line-up at British Summer Time will still feature singer-songwriters playing across 3 stages including Ray Davies, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Lucy Rose, Justin Currie, Tift Merritt, To Kill A King, Thea Gilmore, Scott McFarnon, and Olivia Sebastianelli.

For free tickets, click here.

British Summer Time is the first big event in Hyde Park since AEG Live won the tender to host concerts there, replacing Live Nation. The event includes a village green with a pub and farmers' market. Plus real lavatories, an outdoor pool bar, bistros, restaurants and cocktail bars.

Across Hyde Park, there will be four themed zones each with its own specially designed installations and entertainment, high quality restaurants, bespoke salons, pubs, cocktail bars, cafes, bistros and independent food stalls. AEG is also committed to working with the natural surroundings of Hyde Park to ensure an environmentally-friendly footprint and has commissioned an internationally respected team of ecologists to advise on the planning and construction of Barclaycard British Summer Time.

From Monday to Thursday, the entire British Summer Time site, save for the main Great Oak Stage, will give visitors the chance to get involved with smaller, more intimate events offering film, music, literature, sport and a specific family day for the whole family.

Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones have already headlined. The Rolling Stones will headline again on Saturday 13th July with support from Jake Bugg, Tom Odell, The 1975, Vintage Trouble, The Horrors, Public Service Broadcasting, The Family Rain, Valerie June, Adam Cohen, Fink, Hudson Taylor, Luke Sital Singh, James Bay, Keziah Jones, Hero Fisher, Propellers, The Riptide Movement, and Wild Smiles. Tickets for this show are still available priced from £599.

Lionel Richie and Jennifer Lopez bring British Summer Time to a close in Hyde Park London on Sunday 14th July, also feat. Stooshe, Eliza Doolittle, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Charlie Brown, Vince Kidd, Smiler, Amplify Dot, Al Jarreau, Beverly Knight, Delilah and Angel.

For the line-up details as available please click here.

To buy tickets now, where available, click here.