Sir Elton John is "recovering well" after undergoing an operation to have his appendix removed, according to his publicist.

The Rocket Man hitmaker had the procedure done at the Princess Grace Hospital in Monaco on Thursday (01Aug13) and is believed to be recuperating at his home in Nice, France.

The 66-year-old singer was struck down with appendicitis while on his latest tour, prompting him to postpone the remaining dates of his European tour this summer (13).

Last month (Jul13), the star admitted he had risked death by performing concerts while unknowingly battling appendicitis.

He told Britain's The Sun, "I'm lucky to be alive. I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time. I feel so lucky and so grateful to be alive. I played nine gigs and the White Tie and Tiara Summer Ball in agony."