X Factor judge Gary Barlow says he owes it all to Elton John after revealing it was the Rocket Man who first had him tinkering on the piano.

The 42-year-old Take That frontman is among a swag of megastars including Mumford & Sons and Bill Clinton paying homage to Sir Elton on an ITV special on September 13, 2013 in celebration of Elton’s Brits Icon Award.

"I started to play the piano because of one person, Elton John," says Gary. "When your music is that good and you’re that talented, the world is going to love you."
Barlow’s glowing sentiments are echoed by Clinton, who dubs the British export "a world class human being".

Meanwhile, Elton has been out to prove he’s still got it with back to back performances on Radio 2 and the iTunes Festival. He gave his biggest hint he’s finally a festival convert after decades of keeping away from the mud before playing Bestival last weekend on the Isle of Wight.

"I was very reluctant to play a festival, I haven’t played one since 1969 in Crumlin near Halifax and I was talked into it and thank god I was because it shows you don’t know what’s good for you sometimes," he said. "I had the best time there, I had the best crowd, we played really well, the crowd were unbelievable I’ve never had response like that in Britain in the whole of my career, so it was definitely one of the most memorable things we’ve ever done." He added: "I might do another Bestival but I’m so loyal to that one now. I was just blown away."

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