Elton John attends musical celebration

Sir Elton John has attended a London musical celebration just a week after being hospitalised, because he didn't want to miss it "for anything".

The British star was treated for a "serious respiratory infection" last week at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.

However, Elton's bout of ill health didn't stop his plans - and he was seen celebrating his musical Billy Elliot's seven year run in London's West End.

"I shouldn't really be here because I'm recovering from a bout of pneumonia," he said, according to the BBC. "But the doctor said I could come and I didn't want to miss this for anything."

Elton has been completing his Greatest Hits Tour since last year and his health scare forced him to cancel a few shows he was due to give in Las Vegas over the weekend. The 65-year-old singer has now revealed he is "raring to go" ahead of his performance on Monday for Britain's Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee concert.

"I'm very honoured to be asked to play at it. It's a great cast of performers and it's going to be a great night," he said, before adding of his illness: "I didn't realise I had it and it just knocked me for six. But just being here tonight is cheering me up."