Elton John was inspired to become a father after the sudden death a friend

The 'Rocket Man' singer - who, along with husband David Furnish, celebrated the birth of son Zachary Jackson Levon Furnish-John on Christmas Day (25.12.10) via a surrogate mother - had previously resisted David's pleas for them to start a family together but changed his mind after musician Guy Babylon died of a heart attack in September 2009.

Guy's widow Kathy - mother of his three children - told the Sunday Mirror newspaper: "Elton was there for us right away. He came to the house and said, 'What can I do? Can I help with anything?'

"He was really devastated, but he wanted above all to make sure we were okay. He was worried about me and the kids.

"He said nothing else in his life had really hit him like that. He told me then that Guy and our family had inspired him to start a family of his own."

Elton, 63, and David, 48, then tried to adopt 14-month-old HIV-positive Ukrainian orphan Lev but were rejected because of Elton's age and the country's opposition to gay parents.

However, Kathy says the rejection made them more determined to become parents.

She added: "Elton told me it wasn't working out with the Ukrainian adoption but he wasn't giving up hope of having a child.

"I am just really happy for him. I think it's fabulous that his baby was born on Christmas Day - Guy's birthday was on December 20.

"He and David will be great parents. Elton has such a big heart."