Sir Elton John has confirmed he is to retire from touring to spend more time with his family.

Eastern Daily Press: Sir Elton John in concert at Holkham Hall in 2009. PHOTO: IAN BURT.Sir Elton John in concert at Holkham Hall in 2009. PHOTO: IAN BURT. (Image: Archant © 2009)

The 70-year-old musician will embark on a world tour - which he estimates lasting three years - in September to say farewell to his fans across the globe.

He said at a press conference in New York: 'I am not going to be touring any more.

'It will be the last time I will be touring and travelling the world.'

Sir Elton's Las Vegas residency is currently scheduled to run until May 19 while he is also billed to play two dates in Georgia in June and July.

This Sunday, the musician is to perform one of his classic hits alongside Miley Cyrus at the Grammy Awards where he will collect the President's Merit Award.

Meanwhile, a special tribute concert, Elton John: I'm Still Standing, is to celebrate his career next week.

The post-Grammy concert will feature performances from Cyrus, Kesha, John Legend, Chris Martin, Sam Smith as well as Sir Elton himself.

Last year, his mother died just months after they had reconciled following an eight-year feud.

The retirement announcement comes less than a year after he was forced to cancel a series of shows when he contracted a bacterial infection.

The singer became 'violently ill' during a flight home from Santiago, Chile and was admitted to hospital where he spent two nights in intensive care.

Following his return to home, he had to cancel the May and April dates in his Las Vegas residency.

Sir Elton began performing aged 15 in 1962 under his birth name, Reggie Dwight, at a pub near his home in Pinner, Middlesex.

By 1970 he was touring the US, where he became an instant success.

He formed the Elton John Band and was soon touring the world, becoming the first international pop singer to perform in Soviet Russia.

In 2005 he played a gig at Carrow Road and returned to Norfolk four years later for a concert at Holkham Hall.