LONDON, AFP - British singer and pianist Elton John has postponed a string of concert dates due to a serious infection and flu, according to his official website.

John, 62, has now delayed three concerts with Billy Joel in the US next month as well as the final few dates of his Red Piano world tour in Britain and Ireland which had previously been put on hold.

Promoters "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," his website said.

The gigs affected are on November 4 and 7 in Seattle and November 10 in Portland but it is hoped that these will be rescheduled.

John has reportedly spent a couple of days at an exclusive London hospital where his partner David Furnish told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: "He's OK -- he's fine."