LONDON — Elton John has been hospitalized after suffering from a case of E. coli bacterial infection and the flu, his spokesman said today.

Gary Farrow said the pop star hopes to be released soon but has been forced to cancel concerts in England, Ireland and the United States.

John intends to rejoin the "Face2Face" tour later in the month when he and Billy Joel play concerts in northern California.

Farrow said 62-year-old John is suffering from a "bad case of the flu and a minor case of E. coli." His Web site says he was advised by his doctor to postpone dates in Seattle and Portland.

The Daily Mail’s Web site quoted John’s partner, David Furnish, as saying "He’s OK — he’s fine," after leaving a London hospital.

Farrow says the singer has rescheduled previously canceled dates during the European leg of his world tour.