Elton John cancels last two New Zealand shows as he battles pneumonia

Elton John canceled his two remaining New Zealand shows late Tuesday as he continued to suffer from a bout of pneumonia.

The shows have been rescheduled for next year. Earlier this week, John cut short a performance in Auckland after he lost his voice and needed medical assistance on stage.

John said in a statement Tuesday he was "incredibly disappointed" and sent his sincerest apologies to his fans. It was not immediately clear if his illness would affect other dates on his tour, which next moves to Australia.

USA TODAY has reached out to John’s representative for more information about his condition and upcoming tour dates.

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The visibly frustrated star left the stage early Sunday in New Zealand, then revealed he'd been diagnosed with walking pneumonia.

Video shared by fans on social media showed the sobbing star throwing his hands up in exasperation and apologizing to the crowd as he was helped off the stage.

At one point, John slumped on his stool, The New Zealand Herald reported. When he attempted to sing “Daniel,” he realized he had no voice left and ended the show.

Later, he wrote on Instagram and Twitter that he’d decided to proceed with the gig, despite being diagnosed with the lung infection earlier in the day.

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"I was determined to give you the best show humanly possible," he wrote. "I played and sang my heart out, until my voice could sing no more. I’m disappointed, deeply upset and sorry. I gave it all I had."

He thanked fans for their "extraordinary support and all the love you showed me during tonight’s performance. I am eternally grateful."

Just a week earlier, John had performed at the Oscars, where he and his songwriting partner Bernie Taupin won best original song for "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" from his "Rocketman" biopic starring Taron Egerton.

John, 72, is in the middle of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour, which he announced in 2018 would be his last. The tour is set to run into 2021.

He is scheduled to play a series of shows in Australia starting Feb. 22 in Melbourne.

"My priorities have changed," John told CNN's Anderson Cooper when he announced his retirement from the road.

He said he needs to dedicate more time to raising his two young children, but intends to continue recording and composing.

"I can't physically do the traveling anymore," he said. "I want to be at home. I really want to spend time with my children at home. I've had an incredible life, but life is all about change."

Contributing: Maeve McDermott and The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elton John cancels New Zealand shows due to pneumonia