Sir Elton John to host Radio 2 show
Sir Elton John will host a two-hour show on BBC Radio 2 towards the end of this month as part of a special season of programmes in his honour.
The six-time Grammy award-winner has hand-picked a playlist featuring his favourite artists, such as the Rolling Stones and Amy Winehouse.
The Elton John Show will be broadcast on the 27 August bank holiday.
Many of the station's DJs will pay tribute to the performer, who has sold 250 million records worldwide.
Trevor Nelson will kick things off with an Elton special on 22 August that will aim to explore the 65-year-old's more soulful side.
Jo Whiley will present an In Concert special featuring Sir Elton's Red Piano Show, recorded at London's 02 Arena, while Elton@thebeeb will feature a compliation of his performances for the corporation.
Sir Elton's musical contributions to such West End shows as Billy Elliot and The Lion King will be celebrated by Elaine Paige, while Johnnie Walker's Long Players will look back at the recording of his 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.
The singer's own show will feature the music that he grew up with, has admired and been influenced by, as well as the work of artists he has helped bring to a bigger audience across the world.
"Working with Sir Elton John has been a real joy and we are delighted to be hosting such a special season of programmes," said Radio 2's Mark Hagen.
"Elton is a real core artist for Radio 2 and an absolute favourite with the listeners, so to have him host a show is a match made in heaven."
Meanwhile, Sir Elton appeared to reignite his feud with Madonna over the weekend while appearing on Australian TV.
He told the Channel 7 station that the 53-year-old singer's career was "over" and branded her current MDNA world tour "a disaster".
He followed the outburst by saying the singer had been "so horrible" to Lady Gaga, who is godmother to his 19-month-old son Zachary.
Madonna has previously suggested Lady Gaga modelled her 2011 track Born This Way on her own 1989 hit Express Yourself.