Elton John sees a beautiful future

The singer said that at the peak of his fame he was unable to read the signs that fans brought to his concerts because his vision was so bad.

He told Contactmusic: 'I had my eyes done about eight years ago; I had replacement lens surgery because I was so blind ... Now I have 20/20 vision and I can see all the signs that the fans have, all the album sleeves - and it makes a difference. I really appreciate my performing so much better now as I get older than I did. I don't take it for granted any more.”

He continued: 'When I come offstage now I have a balance in my life. Until I found that in 1990 I came off stage and I didn't know what to do with myself. “Now I fly home every night after a show and I get back in my own bed. I have a wonderful partner in David [Furnish], I have wonderful friends. I can remember things. I don't take drugs any more. It's a whole new world out there. I could remember the words to the songs; it's great! It's just sensational what's happened to me in the last few years. The older I get, I think I'm singing better live.'