Sir Elton Hercules John (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight; 25 March 1947) is an English singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer. Collaborating with lyricist Bernie Taupin since 1967 on more than 30 albums, John has sold more than 300 million records, making him one of the best-selling music artists. He has more than fifty Top 40 hits in the UK Singles Chart and US Billboard Hot 100, including seven number ones in the UK and nine in the US, as well as seven consecutive number-one albums in the US. His tribute single "Candle in the Wind 1997", rewritten in dedication to Diana, Princess of Wales, sold over 33 million copies worldwide and is the best-selling single in the history of the UK and US singles charts. He has also produced records and occasionally acted in films. John owned Watford F.C. from 1976 to 1987 and from 1997 to 2002. He is an honorary life president of the club.
Phillip Schofield affair reaction was 'totally homophobic', says Sir Elton John
The 76-year-old singer claimed a heterosexual relationship with a similar age gap would not have attracted such negative media coverage."I feel that the Phillip Schofield thing has been totally homophobic," he told the Radio Times."If it was a straight guy in a fling with a young woman, it wouldn't even make the papers."Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerSchofield, 61, departed ITV programme This Morning last month after admitting to an "unwise but not illegal" relationship with a younger male colleague, which he had lied about for years.The fallout saw ITV announce an external review, and bosses at the broadcaster were called to give evidence in parliament about claims of a "toxic" workplace.Schofield apologised in a statement on social media and during subsequent interviews with The Sun and the BBC, saying he had "lost everything" while also alleging homophobia had motivated the criticism of him."It's accepted by Leonardo DiCaprio, it's not accepted if it's in the gay world," he claimed.LGBTQ+ rights campaigner Peter Tatchell and actor Rupert Everett also criticised the reaction to the affair.Tatchell said it had "more than a whiff of homophobia", while Everett described it as "insane".Read more:ITV questioning as it happenedWhat we learned from Philip Schofield's interviewsPlease use Chrome browser for a more accessible video playerSir Elton's comments came as he denounced the treatment of LGBTQ+ people in the US as "disgraceful"."It's all going pear-shaped in America," said the Rocketman performer."There's violence, (discriminatory) laws enacted in Florida, which are disgraceful."Among the legislation introduced by Governor Ron DeSantis are school teachers being banned from giving lessons.
