Elton John

I'm lucky enough and wealthy enough to be able to buy photographs and buy art that inspires me from day to day. I don't want a Picasso on my wall; it's great art, but it's dead art to me. I'd rather have a photograph by someone I've never heard of that really inspires me.

I could never go onstage in denims.

I rarely wear tennis shoes. I'm 5' 8', I hate being short.

I think performers are all show-offs anyway, especially musicians. Unless you show off, you're not going to get noticed.

I've never been jealous of anybody's success. I've been flummoxed by it because I don't understand it, but I'm not jealous of it.

I've always been dead set against festivals - really suspicious and wary.

I went to a mixed school and I can't remember being bullied at school, ever. I was quite large, in those days. Usually, if you're going to be a bully, you'll pick on someone who is small. I didn't bully anybody, and I don't remember being bullied.

I grew up conservative because my mum was a conservative, and when I finally realized what conservatives were, I changed my mind immediately.

There's a lot of hate in the world.

I loathe celebrity. I can't stand it.

There is nothing wrong with going to bed with someone of your own sex.

Because, I figured that, because I was a successful man, I was wealthy, I was, you know, seemingly intelligent - even that I am not intelligent enough to ask for help.