Elton John denies retirement rumours, reveals grand plans for 50th music anniversary

There were reports on Sunday that Elton John was planning to retire next year. According to the rumour, Elton was going to end his 50-year career soon to make more time for his husband, David Furnish, and their two sons, Zachary, 5, and Elijah, 3.

Elton has explained that it is not true that he is retiring and that the stories that are circulating have been exaggerated. “Don’t believe what you read in the papers today. There is no truth to the rumours that I am planning to retire. In fact, I am looking forward to celebrating 50 years of collaborating with my partner-in-song, Bernie Taupin, next year,” he wrote on Instagram.

The chitchats about Elton’s retirement started in February when on the “The Graham Norton show” he said he would “gradually wind down because I want to see my boys grow up. What’s the point of having children if you don’t spend time with them?”

Another story which circulated was that Elton had told friends that his retirement would coincide with his 70th birthday in March 2017. He still denied this and told the public not to believe everything that they hear or even read in newspapers as well as from any social media sites.

The music icon is currently on tour in Europe and will begin a two-month stint at The Colosseum at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas in late December. He is also planning a tour in North America for a month. He revealed that he might spend two months this summer back in Europe.

Elton is considered as the world's most treasured musicians. He has won five Grammy awards and an Oscar for "Can You Feel the Love Tonight," which is featured on "The Lion King" soundtrack. He has sold more than 300 million records, and his 33rd studio album, "Wonderful Crazy Night," was released in February.

Next year, Elton will be part of the upcoming movie "Kingsman: The Golden Circle" with Halle Berry, Julianne Moore and Channing Tatum. He also has concert dates booked through July 20, 2017.