POP legend Billy Joel today cancelled a concert with Elton John because of ill-health. The two were set to perform together tonight at Lancashire County Cricket Club in Old Trafford, Manchester. But police said the concert had been called off because Joel was unwell.

The concert was a sell out and had been expected to attract more than 30,000 fans from around the country.

Tickets priced at up to £40 were snapped up by fans within days of going on sale. The last minute cancellation of the concert was totally unexpected.

Up to 14,000 extra seats were placed over the Old Trafford pitch yesterday and the stage was constructed to enable the concert to go ahead. Work has been underway at the cricket ground for the last three days.

The Manchester concert was the latest in a nationwide tour undertaken by the pop superstars. Only last weekend the singers performed together in Belfast.

A large police operation, similar to that staged at match days at the nearby football stadium, had been planned to cater for the concert.

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