‘I can’t see anything’: Elton John unable to finish new album
Sir Elton John says he has not been able to see out of his right eye for four months, and his left eye “is not the greatest”, following a severe infection.
The 77-year-old singer said he has been unable to finish his new album due to his limited eyesight, and had been left feeling “stuck”.
Asked about when the album with his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin, which was announced last year, will be out the Rocketman star told ABC News’ Good Morning America: “I don’t know. It’s been a while since I’ve done anything, and well, I just have to get off my backside.
“I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the south of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest.
“So, there’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but… I’m kind of stuck at the moment, because I can do something like this [the interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”
The British star said he was “taking an initiative to try and get it better,” and was “concentrating” on regaining his eye health.
He went on: “It’s never fortunate for anything like this to happen, and it kind of floored me. And I can’t see anything, I can’t read anything, can’t watch anything.”
Earlier this year, Taupin told Sky News the album was “incredibly personal” and would not be Sir Elton’s last.
At the time, Taupin said: “It’s all done, it’s all in the can and ready to come out, I think, at the end of this year.”
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In September, Sir Elton revealed in an Instagram post that he was “healing” after the infection, saying: “It’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.”
The musician has suffered with various health issues over the years including knee and hip replacements, and surgery for prostate cancer.
However, that has not stopped him from performing and making public appearances.
Sir Elton John and his husband David Furnish. Pic: AP
His headline set at Glastonbury last year marked the final UK performance of his marathon Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour, which concluded in Stockholm, Sweden, the following month.
Earlier this month he shared a new song with American singer Brandi Carlile, titled Never Too Late, inspired by his new Disney+ documentary of the same name, and he has publicised the film on the red carpet in both Toronto and London.
In October, he performed with Dua Lipa on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, and last week he appeared at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the King at the same London venue.
Known for hits including I’m Still Standing, Candle In The Wind and Your Song, Sir Elton was made a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour in 2021.
He has two young sons, Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with his husband, Canadian filmmaker David Furnish.
Rod Stewart will be a headliner at Glastonbury next year year, the festival has announced.
Stewart, 79, will play the Sunday teatime legend slot.
The Do Ya Think I’m Sexy singer is the first act to be announced.
He announced the news on Instagram, writing: “I’m absolutely thrilled to announce that I’ll be playing Glastonbury Festival 2025! After all these years, I’m proud and ready and more than able to take the stage again to pleasure and titillate my friends at Glastonbury in June. I’ll see you there!”
Sir Rod will be 80 when the festival takes place between 25 and 29 June next year on Worthy Farm in Somerset.
Festival co-organiser Emily Eavis shared the same image of Sir Rod a few minutes later, with the message: “Bringing Sir Rod Stewart back for the Sunday afternoon slot on the Pyramid Stage is everything we could wish for.
“What a way to bow out with the final legends slot before we take a fallow year. We cannot wait.”
2026 will be a fallow year for Glastonbury (a year off), with the festival traditionally taking place four out of every five years, and the fifth year reserved for rehabilitation of the land.
Sir Rod – who is known for hits including Maggie May, You Wear It Well and Sailing – previously headlined the festival in 2002 alongside Coldplay and Stereophonics.
Sir Rod first rose to fame as frontman of 1970s rockers the Faces, alongside now-Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood along with Ian McLagan, Ronnie Lane, and Kenney Jones. They formed after the break-up of the Small Faces.
He’s also performed and recorded with the Jeff Beck Group appearing on the albums Truth and Beck-Ola.
Sir Rod with his wife Penny Lancaster
Sir Rod has gone on to have 25 UK top 10 singles and 38 UK top 10 albums as a solo artist. His career spans six decades.
In 2016 he was knighted at Buckingham Palace for his services to music and charity.
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Ed Sheeran apologises to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim after interrupting Sky interview
Ed Sheeran has apologised to Manchester United’s new manager for interrupting him during a live Sky Sports interview.
Ruben Amorim was speaking after United’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich on Sunday when the singer walked up to hug analyst Jamie Redknapp.
His intervention brought the interview to a halt before Redknapp told Sheeran to “come and say hello in a minute”.
Some people on social media said Sheeran had been “rude” and called for him to apologise.
Sheeran celebrates during the match. Pic: AP
“Apologies if I offended Amorim yesterday, didn’t actually realise he was being interviewed at the time, was popping to say hi and bye to Jamie,” Sheeran wrote on Instagram.
“Obvz feel a bit of a bellend but life goes on. Great game though, congrats on all involved.”
The game at Portman Road was Amorim’s first since he left Portuguese club Sporting Lisbon to take over at United.
Marcus Rashford scored after two minutes before Omari Hutchinson equalised for the home side.
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Sheeran, a lifelong Ipswich fan, holds a minority stake in the club.
He was pictured celebrating after Hutchinson’s goal.
Last week Ipswich CEO Mark Ashton said Sheeran helped the club sign a new player in the off-season by taking a Zoom call with him just before he went on stage with Taylor Swift.
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