Sir Elton John, 77, details 'heavy moment' he confronted his death after long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin gave him a new song lyric

Sir Elton John opened up about the 'heavy moment' he confronted his death after his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin gave him a new song lyric. The music legend, 77, admitted he 'lost it' and was 'consoled for 45 minutes' as he detailed the moving story while on Friday's Graham Norton Show. The Rocketman singer appeared alongside collaborator and songwriter Brandi Carlile, as the duo joined the likes of Robert De Niro, Holly Willoughby, and Hollywood's promise Mikey Madison on Graham's red couch.

Sir Elton and the American producer, 43, were promoting their upcoming joint collab album titled Who Believes In Angels - which will be out on 4 April. During his appearance on the talk show, the five-time Grammy winner detailed the moment he wondered 'how long does he have' - as he pondered about his 'death and demise'. English lyricist and visual artist Bernie, 74, has been working with the singer for 56 years - co-writing the majority of his songs, dating back to the 1960s.

Sir Elton John (R) opened up about the 'heavy moment' he confronted his death after his long-time collaborator Bernie Taupin (L) gave him a new song lyric (pictured together in March 2024). The music legend, 77, admitted he 'lost it' and was 'consoled for 45 minutes' as he detailed the moving story while on Friday's Graham Norton Show. Recalling the moving scene, Sir Elton said: 'Bernie Taupin gave me a lyric for a song called, 'When This Whole World Is Done With Me', and I'm writing the verse (music) quite quickly, and I think this is a really lovely verse.

'And then I get to the chorus, and I find that it's about my death, my demise. 'And as a 76 year old man, which I was at that time, and having children and having a husband, mortality, and you think about, 'How long have I got? How long? I hope I've got, much longer than maybe I've got. 'And so by the time I got to the chorus and suddenly realised that I started singing it (and) I lost it for 45 minutes,' he revealed emotionally - before adding: 'It was a very, very heavy moment for me.

'After 45 minutes of being consoled, I was okay, but I recorded the next day... When you're singing about being washed out to sea and the end of your life, it took me by surprise.'. 'It's a really lovely song. I did it all in one take the next day. I just came in and did its vocal and piano at the same time. 'And I put a brass band at the end of it, because I've always loved brass bands, colliery bands, because they their music is rather sad - the sound of it.

The Tiny Dancer hitmaker went on adding: 'I always loved the Cup Final when they played Abide With Me and I always used to cry no matter how old I was, because it was so beautiful. Sir Elton and American producer Brandi Carlile (R), 43, were promoting their upcoming joint collab album titled Who Believes In Angels - which will be out on 4 April (pictured with Robert De Niro on the show). The pianist revealed when Bernie gave him a new lyric to write for When This Whole World Is Done With Me - he then realised the chorus was about his 'death and demise' (pictured last month at PFW).

Revealing he 'lost it', he added: 'After 45 minutes of being consoled, I was okay, but I recorded the next day. When you're singing about being washed out to sea and the end of your life, it took me by surprise' (pictured in November 2024). English lyricist and visual artist Bernie (L), 74, has been working with the singer for 56 years - co-writing the majority of his songs, dating back to the 1960s (pictured together in March 2024).

It comes after Sir Elton opened up on his declining eyesight after revealing last year he's lost vision in his right eye. The legendary musician contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with 'limited vision' in his left. But despite being unable to experience some of his most glitzy events over the last few months, including the gala performance of the musical The Devil Wears Prada, the star has remained positive.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sir Elton confessed that he now has a newfound respect for sight-impaired people and understands how lucky he is. He told the publication: 'I'm an optimist permanently, I've got bad eyesight at the moment. 'There have been days I've been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am, I've got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I've got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve.

'I've beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off'. His confession over his sight comes as he revealed the real reason for his furious studio meltdown as he embarked on his latest record with collaborator and friend Brandi. The legendary musician contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with 'limited vision' in his left - as he opened up about his health battles.