LONDON | Elton John says he is grateful to be alive after learning he had been playing European tour dates while suffering from undiagnosed appendicitis.

The 66-year-old musician is quoted in The Sun newspaper Wednesday as saying he had struggled through the shows in pain, thinking he had food poisoning.

This June 30, 2012 file photo shows British pop star Elton John performing during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kiev, Ukraine. Elton John has canceled a show in London’s Hyde Park after being diagnosed with appendicitis that will require surgery. A statement issued Tuesday July 9, 2013 by the musician's publicist said John was suffering from an inflamed appendix and surrounding abscess. The 66-year-old performer had been due to play an outdoor concert in London's Hyde Park on Friday on a bill with Elvis Costello and Ray Davies.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)
This June 30, 2012 file photo shows British pop star Elton John performing during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kiev, Ukraine. Elton John has canceled a show in London’s Hyde Park after being diagnosed with appendicitis that will require surgery. A statement issued Tuesday July 9, 2013 by the musician’s publicist said John was suffering from an inflamed appendix and surrounding abscess. The 66-year-old performer had been due to play an outdoor concert in London’s Hyde Park on Friday on a bill with Elvis Costello and Ray Davies.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)
This June 30, 2012 file photo shows British pop star Elton John performing during the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kiev, Ukraine. Elton John has canceled a show in London’s Hyde Park after being diagnosed with appendicitis that will require surgery. A statement issued Tuesday July 9, 2013 by the musician’s publicist said John was suffering from an inflamed appendix and surrounding abscess. The 66-year-old performer had been due to play an outdoor concert in London’s Hyde Park on Friday on a bill with Elvis Costello and Ray Davies.(AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, file)

He later learned “I was a ticking time bomb. I guess I could have died at any time.”

He added: “I feel so lucky and grateful to be alive.”

On Tuesday John canceled a show in London’s Hyde Park and other summer dates while he is treated for an inflamed appendix and surrounding abscess.

He is due to have surgery in the next few weeks after treatment with antibiotics.

John’s new album, “The Diving Board,” is due out in September.