Elton John was left in intensive care after being struck down by a 'potentially deadly' bacterial infection in South America this month.

The 70-year-old star has subsequently cancelled his Las Vegas shows in April and May, after falling 'violently ill' on a flight back to the UK from Santiago, Chile.

On Saturday, the musician returned home to 'rest' on the advice of doctors having received emergency treatment in a UK hospital, where he is believed to have stayed for 12 days, two of which were on an intensive care ward.

Risk: Elton John was left in intensive care at a UK hospital after being struck down by a 'potentially deadly' bacterial infection in South America

The musician will no longer perform any of his scheduled gigs at Caesars Palace for the next two months.

Elton is expected to make a 'full recovery' in time for his performance at London's Twickenham Stadium on June 3.

His representative said in a statement: 'During a recent, successful tour of South America, Elton contracted a harmful and unusual bacterial infection.

Close call: The star (pictured with husband David Furnish) fell 'violently ill' on a flight back to Britain from Santiago, Chile and received emergency treatment in a UK hospital for two nights. He was released on April 22 to recover at home

'During his return flight home from Santiago, Chile he became violently ill. Upon returning to the UK, Elton's Doctors admitted him to hospital, where he underwent immediate treatment to remove the infection.

'Infections of this nature are rare and potentially deadly. Thankfully, Elton's medical team identified this quickly and treated it successfully. He is expected to make a full and complete recovery.'

John added: 'I am so fortunate to have the most incredible and loyal fans and apologize for disappointing them.

'I am extremely grateful to the medical team for their excellence in looking after me so well.'

Time off: He has cancelled eight shows on his residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, starting immediately and running until May 6. He will return to the stage at Twickenham on June 3

He has cancelled eight shows between April 28 and May 6 on his residency at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

Those with tickets to the cancelled shows have been assured that they will be able to get a full refund.

The star has been performing at the hotel in Sin City with his specially-created Million Dollar Piano show since 2011.

It's the latest in a string of concerts John has been forced to cancel due to his health.

In July 2016, he scrapped a huge concert in London's Hyde Park after requiring immediate surgery for appendicitis.

Family: The star revealed that being a father to young sons Elijah and Zachary made him aware of his 'mortality'

He admitted at the time that he had waited to long to seek medical attention due to his hectic schedule - and insisted it was a wake-up call.

The rocker explained: 'I knew I was sick but I didn't know I had such a dangerous thing inside of me until I had a scan, which was after nine shows, 24 flights and a summer ball. I could have easily died.'

In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, he insisted the close call was a wake up call and that his age, combined with being a father of two small boys, Elijah and Zachary, made him increasingly aware of his own 'mortality'.

'This is a wake-up call. I'm 66 not 36 anymore. I want to write another musical for Broadway and I want to spend more time with my children. I don't have to tour. I don't need the money. I just love playing,' he continued. 'When I had the operation, I said: 'This has got to stop, this is crazy, why am I doing this?' I'm a great believer in signs coming to you in life to tell you something. This appendix thing, it's so lucky I didn't die.

In 2015, he stunned fans after he was seen being pushed around in a wheelchair during a day out with his family at Disneyland.

Scrapped: Elton (performing above in Austria in November 2016) reveled that he ignored appendicitis pain due to his hectic schedule in 2013 and needed emergency surgery. He cancelled a huge show in Hyde Park and admitted it was a 'wake up call'

Rest: In 2015, he stunned fans after he was seen being pushed around in a wheelchair during a day out with his family at Disneyland (above)

In December, John also postponed a concert in Dubai due to ill health.

The musician was due to play at Dubai's Autism Rock Arena on December 15. He cancelled the gig on doctor's advice and postponed it until January 20.

In a statement at the time, he said: 'I am so looking forward to performing in Dubai with my band and want to assure my fans that giving me time to recover to my full strength and stamina will ensure the best and most memorable show on January 20th.'

Talking about whether he was going to retire and spend more time with his husband David Furnish and their sons, he hinted he wouldn't be touring until his dying day.

Asked if he would do a 'farewell tour', John said: 'Not necessarily. I like playing and I'm a working musician and I love to do it.

'If you're feeling fresh and energetic do it while you can. I'm not going to do it forever because I want to see my boys grow up.'