Billy Joel has checked himself into a substance abuse and psychiatric hospital for a "personal problem", it has been revealed.

The Grammy-winning singer entered the Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan, Connecticut, to get help but no specific details of his condition have been released.

A statement from his record company, Columbia, said: "Billy Joel recently checked himself into Silver Hill Hospital for a planned 10-day stay to deal with a specific and personal problem that had recently developed.

"Joel scheduled his stay in Silver Hill several weeks ago and expects to leave in a few days, as planned."

Mariah Carey was admitted to the same hospital following her emotional breakdown in 2001.

Joel was married to model Christie Brinkley

Model ex-wife

Joel, 53, is best known for records such as Uptown Girl, Piano Man and Just the Way You Are.

He is divorced from former model Christie Brinkley with whom he shares a 16-year-old daughter.

The singer-songwriter, who is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, was due to embark on a joint US tour earlier in the year with Sir Elton John, but postponed it citing ill health.

In 1998, Joel pulled out of a similar tour with Sir Elton after what was described as a "severe asthma attack".

'Rambling'

Sir Elton decided that time to continue the UK tour alone while Joel flew back to New York.

A gig Joel played at Madison Square Garden in March was panned by critics, with the New York Times describing him as "rambling" and "bellowing".

The bad performance was blamed on acute laryngitis, inflamed vocal cords and an upper-respiratory infection.

He then cancelled all remaining concerts on the orders of his doctor.

But his publicist Claire Mercuri insisted the rescheduled dates would not be affected by his stay in hospital.

The versatile artist's last album, Fantasies and Delusions, was a classical work featuring pianist Richard Joo.

Joel was one of the star names to perform at the 11 September tribute concert in New York to honour the rescue workers caught up in the tragedy.