London, Nov 18 Sir Elton John is back in the limelight after undergoing treatment in hospital for flu and E.coli.

John, 62, who made his first public appearance since the illness, looked a picture of health as he walked the red carpet in New York for his annual Aids Foundation benefit.

"It's the first time I've been in bed for about nine days in the whole of my life," Sky News quoted him as revealing at the charity event.

"Except for maybe when I had my tonsils out.

"So, I was alright. I had a good rest. I didn't expect it," he said.

John went on to admit that he hated letting his fans down after he was forced to cancel a series of gigs on his world tour after falling ill.

"The worst thing was having to cancel shows. I hate that. But I'm back on my feet and I'm bouncing around now," he added.

The Elton John Aids Foundation helps to fund HIV prevention programmes and aims to eliminate stigma and discrimination associated with the disease. (ANI)