Elton John is expected to make a full recovery despite being forced to cancel a series of shows in the United States after being hospitalised with a “potentially deadly” bacterial infection.

The 70-year-old singer’s spokeswoman Fran Curtis released a statement saying he spent two nights in intensive care in the UK after contracting the infection during his recent tour of South America.

Sir Elton reportedly became “violently ill” during the flight home from Santiago, Chile and was admitted to hospital.

He was released from the hospital on Saturday, and is resting at home and expected to make a full recovery.

While the infection was not identified, the statement said Sir Elton contracted the “harmful and unusual bacterial infection” during his South American tour, which ended in Chile on April 10.

“Infections of this nature are rare and potentially deadly,” the statement said, adding that his time in intensive care was followed by an “extended stay in hospital”.

Sir Elton is expected to make a full recovery, but has cancelled all his concerts in Las Vegas for April and May, as well as a show in Bakersfield, California, on May 6.

He released a statement apologising for disappointing his fans.

“I am so fortunate to have the most incredible and loyal fans and apologise for disappointing them. I am extremely grateful to the medical team for their excellence in looking after me so well,” he said.