Elton John: I love performing more now than I did 30 years ago

Elton John has said he loves performing more now than when he first started out 30 years ago.

The Tiny Dancer star, who is almost 70, told ITV London he was more excited than ever to go on stage - despite reports he is ready to retire.

And he credited it with being the happiest he has ever been in his life.

"I'm very happy. I have a wonderful life, a wonderful husband, great children. There's no crap in my life."

Elton added he felt "lucky" to still be playing music since first bursting onto the scene in the Seventies.

"To be doing what I'm doing and still enjoying it after all these years is truly a gift," he said.

The Rocket Man kicked off the Apple Music Festival in London on Sunday.

Alicia Keys, Robbie Williams and Britney Spears are all set to take to the stage in the coming days.

Elton claims it is so much harder for artists to make it these days - which is why he asks new stars he likes to perform with him.

"I was lucky in the Seventies when radio was much more diverse.

"You had a better chance of making it if you had the real talent.

"Today I get artists to play on my show who aren't Radio 1 type artists - they're what I would call real artists - and it's hard for them to get heard on the radio."

The Candle In The Wind singer revealed his heroes - like The Beatles' George Harrison - encouraged him as he rose through the musical ranks.

"It helped me a lot because it verified what I was doing, because those people were so much better than I was at that time.

"For them to go out of their way to be kind helped - and that's what I like doing to these new people.

"If I hear a new record that I love like Laura Mvula, for example. I rang her up and said 'God, I love your record, it's so great.'

"I just want to let them know that they're doing great work and that I will support them."