Elton John's publicist has announced that the star is "recovering well" after undergoing an operation to have his appendix removed.

The procedure was carried out in Monaco's Princess Grace Hospital on Thursday (August 1), and it's believed that he is recuperating in his home in Nice in the South of France.

The 66-year-old was struck down with an appendix abscess earlier this month (July) which forced him to cancel a string of shows.

The 'Rocket Man' admitted he had risked death by performing concerts while unknowingly battling the health issue and thanked his fans for their understanding and support. 

Doctors advised him to cancel all the dates on his current tour, including a headline performance at London's Hyde Park last month.

A statement on behalf of the singer said he had been diagnosed with an "appendix abscess surrounding retrocaecal appendicitis".

He had a pacemaker fitted in 1999 after doctors found he had an irregular heartbeat.

Sir Elton has recently been promoting his forthcoming album 'The Diving Board', which is due to be released on September 16.