His Facebook post generated nearly 3000 responses in 24 hours, with some offering support and others suggesting his ego had got the better of him. One comment even came from a Whittington staff doctor.

Now Portnoy says: "I'd just like to apologise to anybody I offended. It was not a personal attack or rage against England's health care system in general, of which I know nothing.

"Yesterday I was the sickest I've ever been in my life. Paramedics came to see me at the gig and decided to take me to the emergency room - only for the ambulance to run out of gas. I was then driven to the hospital by a very kind fan.

"Neal and I calmly waited in the A&E without any indication of when I would be seen. I did not expect any special treatment, or want to be put ahead of anybody else in need, as I have been so wrongly accused. We only wanted some - any - answers as the clock was ticking until showtime."