Elton John said April 21, 2006 he was "shocked" that troubled George Michael was blaming him for fears over his lifestyle.

He told a friend: < B>"Did I crash George's car? Was I found slumped over the wheel in Hyde Park? No." The friend said: "Elton has been sober for 14 years and only ever sought to help George.He's been there. He's had his problems and accepted responsibility. He never blamed anyone.

"Elton is shocked and very upset he's been dragged into this. He's getting on with his life. George needs to start taking responsibility for his own actions and stop blaming everyone else. It's a terrible shame."

Sir Elton said in 2004: "George is in a strange place. There appears to be deep-rooted unhappiness in his life."

George claims on Michael Parkinson's ITV show broadcast on April 22, 2006 that the outburst fuelled allegations his life was spiralling out of control. He tells: "My soap opera launched from then. Elton said I was really miserable. From that point I've been trying to prove I'm not."

The former Wham! star has a turbulent relationship with Elton since the 57-year-old voiced his fears in 2004. George wrote then: "He knows very little about George Michael. We've rarely spoken in 10 years."

Elton said later: "Poor George. I struck a nerve and he took it the wrong way. I'd like to resolve it. I've been where George is and I'm concerned. If something happens, I want to be there."

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