Billy Joel and Sir Elton John disappointed 30,000 fans by cancelling a Manchester concert last night after Billy Joel fell ill.

The American singer-songwriter has been laid low by an asthma attack he suffered at the pair's Glasgow concert on Tuesday at Ibrox. ''I feel terrible about this,'' Billy Joel said.

It is the first time in his career he has cancelled a show without rescheduling, promoters MCP said. ''During the show in Glasgow, Billy Joel developed an acute attack of asthma brought on by an upper respiratory infection.''

A London doctor caring for the Uptown Girl star confirmed it was impossible for him to perform last night. But two Wembley shows this weekend will go ahead

Up to 30,000 fans paid between #30 and #40 a ticket to attend. An MCP spokesman said it was impossible for Sir Elton to go on alone. The two stars face each other over pianos and each makes an appearance in the other's set.

q The 70s chart topper, Gilbert O'Sullivan, has written to a newspaper to apologise for cancelling the Scottish leg of a concert tour with only a week's notice.

The singer, who scored number one hits a quarter of a century ago with songs such as Clair and Get Down, pulled out of a show at Edinburgh's Queen's Hall after only 50 tickets were sold.

The cancellation was in stark contrast to another '70s performer, Art Garfunkel, due to appear in a charity show in the city on Monday. A spokeswoman for Edinburgh's Festival Theatre predicted the concert - part of a tour in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust - would be a sell-out, with more than 1300 tickets already sold.

q Julie Andrews today vowed she would sing again after ''exaggerated'' reports that a throat condition had wrecked her voice.

The 62-year-old actress was speaking as she was unveiled as the latest star to join the line-up of a #4m musical stage show of Dr Dolittle. It receives its world premiere at Labatt's Apollo, Hammersmith, London, on July 14.