Elton John. Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images / AFP
Elton John. Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images / AFP

Elton John sings at London wedding days after postponing Dubai gig



Elton John performed at a private wedding, alongside Mariah Carey, in London on Saturday – just days after the veteran British singer postponed his Dubai concert from January 20 until December 8, citing ill health.

The change of date was the second time John rescheduled his UAE gig, which was initially set for December 15 last year. It was moved to January after he was diagnosed with the flu.

John and Carey are believed to have been performing at the wedding of Irene Kogan, the granddaughter of billionaire Russian businessman Valery Kogan. The event also featured a DJ set by Mark Ronson and a speech by actor Antonio Banderas.

Videos have been uploaded to social media of John, in a black suit, performing Sorry Seems to be The Hardest Word.

There is also footage of Carey, in a tight, sequined dress, singing the hit We Belong Together.

Thomas Ovesen, the chief executive of 117 Live, the promotions company behind the Dubai show, reiterated the company’s official statement that John’s performance was delayed due to a medical procedure that had to be scheduled.

“He is one of the hardest-working musicians out there and he doesn’t just cancels shows like that,” Ovesen said.

“He had to attend a medical appointment which happened to coincide with the Dubai dates. We look forward to when he returns in December. It is going to be a great show.”

sasaeed@thenational.ae

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