Sir Elton John and David Furnish make shortlist for Celebrity Dad of the Year

The musician and his partner became parents to son Zachary on Christmas Day last year (25.12.10) through a surrogate mother and they become the first gay couple to be nominated for the British award. The couple are said to be "thrilled" at the news of their nomination.

Other nominees on the list include soccer players Wayne Rooney and David Beckham, Take That star singer Gary Barlow and TV presenter Jonathan Ross.

Last year's winner, Peter Andre ' who has five-year-old Junior and three-year-old Princess Tiaamii with ex-wife Katie Price - is also nominated this year.

Upon being crowned last year, Pete said: "This means a huge amount to me as being a dad is my most important role.

According to the organisers of The Premier Inn Celebrity Dad of the Year 2011 award, it aims to: "Reward the celebrity dad who has impressed the nation by balancing a hectic public life with the demands of parenting."

Elton, 63, has previously talked of how he wants Zachary, now five months, to be grounded despite his parents' fame and riches.

The 'Rocket Man' singer said: "I so value my own childhood now, and we want to give Zachary - as much as we possibly can - the same thing. A solid old-fashioned childhood, if you like.

"I know it'll be hard with my life, but we want him to have that same normality and for things in life to have real value. So we don't intend to spoil him - we're going to try to give him a fun, carefree time of innocence, freedom, love and stability."

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