The UK legend spent two nights in intensive care.

Elton John has been forced to cancel his upcoming US shows after contracting a “potentially deadly” bacterial infection while on tour in South America last week.

As the BBC reports, John fell “violently ill” on a flight back to the UK from Santiago, Chile and had to spend two nights in intensive care on his return.

A statement from the UK star’s management said infections like the kind suffered by John were “rare and potentially deadly,” but no further details about the illness were given.

“Thankfully, Elton’s medical team identified this quickly and treated it successfully. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery,” the statement added.

Elton John also added: “I am so fortunate to have the most incredible and loyal fans and apologise for disappointing them. I am extremely grateful to the medical team for their excellence in looking after me so well.”

John, who was earlier this month named the first Record Store Day Legend to celebrate the holiday’s 10th anniversary, was due to play nine concerts in Las Vegas and California over the next two weeks as part of his Million Dollar Piano tour. He is still scheduled to play in Twickenham, London on June 3.