Sir Elton John made a rare public appearance as he took to the stage at the Attitude Awards 2024 to receive the Legacy Award on Wednesday evening.
Presented with the honour in a room full of showbiz stars at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, the legendary musician, 77, admitted the award ‘meant a lot as a gay man’ and confessed it had been a ‘long journey’ for him.
After a brief appearance on the stage, where he was awarded the accolade by Ed Sheeran, the hitmaker was supported by a chair as he posed for pictures with his gong.
Accepting the award he confessed: ‘I’m still happy to be a gay man, I love my husband, I love my children.’
The star told the room: ‘I’m very humbled by this award, it means a lot as a gay man.
Sir Elton John confessed ‘I’m still happy to be a gay man’ in an emotional speech after receiving the Attitude Legacy Award in rare public appearance at the Attitude Awards 2024 at the Roundhouse in Camden on Wednesday evening
After a brief appearance on the stage, where he was awarded the accolade by Ed Sheeran, the hitmaker was supported by a chair as he posed for pictures with his gong
Commenting on his six-decade long career, he said: ‘I’m married to my work, I love music. Music saved me when I was happy, it saved me when I was miserable.’
He continued: ‘The Elton John Foundation was the real, real focus point of my life,’ and gave him ‘so much joy and so much pleasure’ to help others.
The star added that he and his husband, David Furnish, who is the CEO of the foundation have raised $600 million for the cause.
Elton became the second person to ever receive the Legacy Award after it was previously given to Prince Harry back in 2017, to mark 20 years since his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales had died.
Speaking before Sir Elton appeared on stage, song-writer Ed Sheeran said: ‘Wherever the great are gathered, from Park Lane to Hollywood Boulevard, there are awards to be found for icons, legends or lifetime achievement.
‘All of them are worthy, many extraordinary. Attitude’s Legacy Award supported by Virgin Atlantic, presented tonight for only the second time in 13 years hits harder.
‘It honours not only a body of work, however impressive, not simply a career blessed with longevity however stellar, not even a life devoted to a cause however worthy.’
The 2024 Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards, powered by Jaguar celebrate the brightest and best from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies.
Accepting the award he confessed: ‘I’m still happy to be a gay man, I love my husband, I love my children’
Commenting on his six-decade long career, he said: ‘I’m married to my work, I love music. Music saved me when I was happy, it saved me when I was miserable’
Speaking before Sir Elton appeared on stage, song-writer Ed Sheeran said: ‘Wherever the great are gathered, from Park Lane to Hollywood Boulevard, there are awards to be found for icons, legends or lifetime achievement’
Elton beamed as he posed for a snap with fellow singer Lulu
The Scottish singer, 75, picked up The Honorary Gay Award
Lulu posed with Rylan after receiving the accolade
Jessica Gunning received The Culture Award and American DJ The Blessed Madonna scooped The Music Award
Eurovision winner Nemo received Person of the Year
Mawaan Rizwan received The Comedy Award
Elsewhere during the evening Scottish singer Lulu picked up The Honorary Gay Award while Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning received The Culture Award.
Eurovision winner Nemo received Person of the Year and Mawaan Rizwan received The Comedy Award.
The Inspiration Award was presented to Esther Ghey on behalf of her transgender teenage daughter Briana Ghey who was murdered in 2023.
American DJ The Blessed Madonna scooped The Music Award and Lost Boys and Fairies picked up the TV Award.