Elton John's pals fear the worst after iconic singer's latest health struggle

Sir Elton John has sparked fresh fears for his health after piling on more than 60 pounds in less than a year, leaving friends terrified the Rocketman is heading for serious trouble, reports RadarOnline. The 78-year-old superstar stunned fans last November when he unveiled a dramatically slimmer figure. But new photos show the weight has come back with a vengeance - and insiders say it's a worrying sign given his long history of health struggles.

The Honky Cat singer has long been candid about his fluctuating figure, once joking: "I go up and down like a bloody yo-yo." But sources close to him say this latest slip is no laughing matter. One insider revealed: "He's packed these pounds back on quickly, and that's a huge concern, especially at his age and with his health history." Elton's most dramatic weight loss came after a terrifying brush with type 2 diabetes. At one stage, the 5ft 7in hitmaker admitted he was scared skinny after tipping the scales at more than 220 pounds, prompting a radical diet overhaul.

But less than a year later, pals claim he has slipped back into old habits - with one snitch pointing the finger at his sweet tooth.

"He's got type 2 diabetes, so he's not supposed to have any sugar. He was doing well for a while, but his cravings have obviously taken over," the source said.

Experts have voiced alarm at the toll this cycle of extreme weight gain and loss could take on Elton's body.

Dr Stuart Fischer, author of The Park Avenue Diet, warned: "Yo-yo dieting forces the pancreas to work triple overtime and as a result the body runs out of insulin and the pancreas fails."

He added: "It's a strain on his heart to have that sort of extra weight."

Concerns only deepened after Elton was photographed last month looking frail and struggling to walk as he relaxed on his luxury yacht in France.

He was joined on board by husband David Furnish, 62, and close friends Aaron Taylor-Johnson, 35, and wife Sam, 58.

The music legend has endured a long list of medical setbacks in recent years, including knee and hip replacements, prostate cancer surgery, and a severe eye infection that left him with limited vision in one eye.

"Over the summer, I've been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye," Elton admitted on Instagram. "I am healing, but it's an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns."

Reflecting on his health battles, Elton has grown increasingly candid about his mortality.

"This is the latter time of my life. I don't know how much time I have left," he said. "You think about life and death. You think: 'well, I just want to be where I want to be now.'"

The star has already ruled out returning to touring, bluntly adding: "Travelling takes so much out of you... this is where you start to think about mortality."