Elton John guest edits The Independent

Elton, 63, acted as a guest editor on the special World AIDS Day edition of the British newspaper.

He said: 'This is a day of firsts for me. It's the first time I've had the privilege of editing a newspaper - in fact, I've never set foot inside a newspaper office before.

'It's the first time I've switched on a computer, and it's definitely the first time I've been able to say 'hold the front page' and people listened.'

Wednesday's edition of the Independent includes contributions from some of Elton's famous friends, including Elizabeth Taylor and Bill Clinton.

Elton marked the day by commissioning art work by one of his 'heroes' Gary Hume for the front cover of both papers.

He said: 'The picture depicts flowers, symbolic of something which flourishes and then dies: I think it's a powerful statement about the struggle against Aids.'

After spending a day working in the newspaper world, John even had a realisation that the press aren't all that bad.

'I have now made my peace with papers... I think the British press is the best in the world.'

All proceeds from the newspaper sales go to the Elton John AIDS foundation.