Sir Elton John was still in hospital on October 31, 2009 suffering from ‘flu with complications’.

David Furnish most of day 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.

Elton has been cared for by the hospital’s elite medical staff since October 30, 2009, when it is understood his two-week illness worsened. His 'Red Piano Tour' had to be cut short due to his illness. In the meantime, the Elton John/Billy Joel "Face 2 Face" concerts originally scheduled for November 4, November 7 and November 10, 2009 have also been postponed.

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 October 30, 2009, 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 on October 20, 2009. He also missed Boyzone star Stephen Gately’s funeral two weeks ago, with David attending in his absence.

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.’ When David left the hospital later, dressed in black and wearing sunglasses, he said: ‘He’s OK – he’s fine.’

In 1999, 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.

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.

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