Elton’s ‘farewell’ is sales ploy, says Rod

 Sir Rod Stewart has criticised Sir Elton John’s retirement tour, calling it a “dishonest” ploy to make money.

Stewart, 73, said that the 300-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road world tour “stinks of selling tickets”, adding that the decision was “not rock’n’roll”.

Stewart was appearing on US chat show Watch What Happens Live when asked about Sir Elton, 70, a friend for 50 years.

A fan called in to ask him what he thought of the Rocket Man’s planned retirement. Stewart said: “I’ve never spoken about retirement, and if I do retire, I won’t make an announcement. I’ll just fade away. This big deal – ‘I’m going to retire’ – it stinks of selling tickets.” Cyndi Lauper, who is touring with Stewart this summer and also appeared on the show, joked that it “wasn’t a bad idea”, while chat show host Andy Cohen pointed out that Cher had had several farewell tours.

Stewart and Sir Elton have enjoyed a good-natured rivalry for years and have in the past texted each other to compare album sales.