X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and Will Young led a New Year countdown at Elton John's exclusive party at the 02 Arena. The pair were centre stage with host Kate Thornton as the clock struck midnight.

But as they took the limelight, Elton John waited in the sidelines of the stage ready to launch into a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" (siehe YouTube clip).

The glitzy evening was opened by Alexandra who sang her hit cover of the song Hallelujah to rapturous cheers. After finishing she thanked the crowd and wished them all a happy New Year. Following her performance, a breathless Alexandra told host Kate Thornton: ' It was amazing. I had the best time. I'm so happy.'

Elton, who has sold over 250million albums, put on the show in an evening which saw him take part in one of the biggest shows of his four-decade career. Speaking to Thornton before the concert started, Elton said revealed he isn't really a fan of New Year and so is much more at ease on stage performing.

He said: 'I do not drink anymore. I've been sober for eighteen-and-a-half years so New Year is always a predicament for me because we usually don't do anything. I've never really liked New Year's Eve... never enjoyed it that much. I'm a musician and would rather be playing.'

Elton then performed the second song of the evening, "Philadelphia Freedom", followed by "I Guess That's Why They Call It The Blues". Then he sang "Daniel" with Pop Idol winner Will Young - an interesting coupling when Elton's recent comments about shows like X Factor are taken into account.

Earlier in December, as Alexandra was crowned X Factor queen, Elton launched a diatribe against the show while performing a gig at the 02. He told the audience at the time he would rather have his 'c*** bitten off by an Alsatian' than watch the ITV show. He also said he would be happy to lose his testicles in the process.

Following Elton and Will's rendition, Thornton questioned their pairing together, describing it as a little strange. Elton looked on sullenly as Will said with an awkward smile, with just a hint of sarcasm: 'We met on the internet. We get on like a house on fire.' Alexandra was then brought back on to the stage as the countdown began to New Year, led by Thornton.

Following jubilant cheers from the crowd as the clock struck 12, balloons were released from the ceiling and a dramatic laser show began as Elton launched into a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne", followed by "Pinball Wizard". Then he gave an energetic performance of "Saturday Night Is Alright (For Fighting)", which saw members of the audience invade the stage for a boogie. He closed the event with his 1970s hit Your Song.

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