Legendary singer Elton John has been forced to postpone dates on his world tour until 2023 after having an operation on an injured hip.

The 74 year old had been due to play cities in Britain and Europe this year as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, followed by shows in the US in 2022, but he said a fall on a hard surface had left him in pain.

He said in a statement on Thursday that “despite intensive physio and specialist treatment, the pain has continued to get worse and is leading to increasing difficulties moving”.

“I have been advised to have an operation as soon as possible to get me back to full fitness and make sure there are no long-term complications,” Sir Elton wrote.

He said that “it is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I am forced to reschedule the 2021 dates of my Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour in Europe and the UK to 2023”.

He promised fans that “the shows will return to the road next year and I will make sure they are more than worth the wait.”

Are you an Elton John fan? What is your favourite Elton John song? Have you ever had hip surgery? How long did it take you to recover?