Sir Elton John sparked panic among fans this week after posting photos of himself in a hospital bed. The singer has previously battled recurring hip and back problems, forcing him to cancel several shows on his Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour. In 2021, he underwent hip surgery after a fall at home, and he has been candid about the toll decades of performing have taken on his body.
Last summer, he was hospitalised briefly in France after a fall at his villa, though he made a quick recovery. Elton has also admitted that the end of touring is partly to preserve his health for his husband David Furnish and their two young sons, Zachary and Elijah.
In a new Instagram post, the 77-year-old Rocket Man icon appeared to be seriously injured in the snaps posted to Instagram, reclining in a bed with both legs encased in dazzling rhinestone-studded casts and a neck brace. Surrounding him were balloons, flowers, and get-well-soon cards.
Despite the scenario look worryingly authentic, it later emerged the stunt was part of filming for the long-awaited Spinal Tap, as eagle-eyed fans spotted behind-the-scenes images included in the same Instagram carousel showing Elton on stage monitors and the glittering casts removed on a soundstage confirming the setup was part of Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.
Still, the post left followers rattled. “ELTON DONT SCARE US LIKE THAT,” one pleaded. Another added: “Scared me for a minute there. So glad you’re ok!!!” A third remarked bluntly: “Omg this was scary!! No jokes please!”
The cameo will see Elton join fellow music legend Sir Paul McCartney in Rob Reiner’s satirical follow-up, more than 40 years after This Is Spinal Tap first hit cinemas in 1984.
The cult classic, written by Christopher Guest, shared the excesses of the rock world and went on to become one of the most celebrated mockumentaries of all time. The sequel will follow the fictional heavy-metal band reuniting after a 15-year hiatus for one last chaotic performance with John contributing two original songs for the film.
It comes as John movingly opened up in an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, and confessed that he now has a newfound respect for disabled people after his own health woes.
He told the publication: "I'm an optimist permanently, I've got bad eyesight at the moment.There have been days I've been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am, I've got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I've got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve. I've beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off."
