Sir Elton John honoured with first ever BRITs Icon Award

The UK music industry tips its hat to a real British legend at inaugural awards ceremony.

Sir Elton John was honoured yesterday evening (Monday, September 2) with the first ever BRITs Icon Award at a star-studded ceremony in central London.

Elton was presented with the newly created award by fellow British musical legend Rod Stewart, who introduced him as "the second-best rock singer ever".

Sir Elton John on stage at the BRITs Icon Award show

Elton, who has sold more than 250 million records worldwide and also has the UK’s biggest selling single of all time, Something About The Way You Look Tonight / Candle In The Wind 1997 to his name, performed nine songs at the event including I’m Still Standing, Your Song, Tiny Dancer and two songs from his forthcoming album, The Diving Board. Elton closed the show with a duet with his "dear mate" Rod Stewart with a rendition of Sad Songs (Say So Much).

The ceremony was attended by Gary Barlow, Lulu, James Blunt, Pixie Lott, Maverick Sabre and The Strypes, among others, while former US President Bill Clinton, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr and Elton's song writing partner, and Bernie Taupin, sent video messages.

Pixie Lott and Gary Barlow arrive at the BRITs Icon Award show

"It's a tremendous honour and a real thrill for me to have my work acknowledged in this way,” said Sir Elton.

The BRITs Icon Award show, which is an extension of the annual BRIT Awards, will be broadcast on ITV 1 on September 13.