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NEW YORK - Elton John says he's back on his feet after being sidelined for the flu and an E. coli bacterial infection.

The entertainer spoke about his recovery before this week's annual benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which honoured former U.S. president Bill Clinton and Sharon Stone, among others.

"The worst thing about being in the hospital was that, actually, it's the first time I've been in bed for about nine days in the whole of my life, except for maybe when I had my tonsils out," he said. "So, I was all right. I had a good rest; I didn't expect it. The worst thing was having to cancel shows. I hate that. But I'm back on my feet and I'm bouncing around now."

The event, entitled "An Enduring Vision," honoured Clinton, Evelyn and Leonard Lauder, Lily Safra and Stone.

Stone called John "a legendary performer and . . . spectacular person."

"(He's) not always easy because he's true and honest and he really is passionate and he really does care," she said. "There isn't any time that I wouldn't show up for him. He's the real thing."

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The lawyer for Black Eyed Peas manager Liborio (Polo) Molina says he hopes his case with celebrity blogger Perez Hilton will be dealt with in court today.

Molina faces an assault charge for allegedly striking Hilton outside a Toronto nightclub on June 22.

Another hearing was set to take place yesterday, but Molina's lawyer has said the case will likely be adjourned until today, when the manager is expected to make his first appearance in court.

Molina allegedly punched Hilton -- whose real name is Mario Lavandeira -- following a heated argument between the blogger and Black Eyed Peas leader will.i.am at a party after the MuchMusic Video Awards.

In the ensuing days, Hilton and will.i.am insulted each other in videos online and Hilton also filed a civil lawsuit against Molina, in which the celebrity blogger sued for alleged battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress and is seeking more than US$25,000.

The suit states Hilton is seeking to protect his rights to free speech and claims Molina attacked him because he made critical comments about the Black Eyed Peas' new album, The E.N.D. The allegations have not been proven in court.

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Celebrity Birthdays:

* Former CBC news anchor Knowlton Nash is 82.

* Actress Brenda Vaccaro is 70.

* Author Margaret Atwood is 70.

* Actress Linda Evans is 67.

* Actress Susan Sullivan is 67.

* Actor Jameson Parker is 62.

* Actress-singer Andrea Marcovicci is 61.

* Rock singer-drummer Herman Rarebell, formerly with The Scorpions, is 60.

* Singer Graham Parker is 59.

* Actor Delroy Lindo is 57.

* Comedian Kevin Nealon is 56.

* Actor Oscar Nunez (The Office) is 51.

* Singer Kim Wilde is 49.

* Actress Elizabeth Perkins is 49.

* Guitarist Kirk Hammett of Metallica is 47.

* Actor Owen Wilson (Zoolander) is 41.

* Singer Duncan Sheik is 40.

* Actor Mike Epps is 39.

* Actress Peta Wilson (La Femme Nikita) is 39.

* Actress Chloe Sevigny (Boys Don't Cry) is 35.

* Rapper Fabolous is 30.

* Rapper Mike Jones is 29.

* Actor Nathan Cress (iCarly) is 17.