From police minder to Elton’s gay lover
AS Bodyguard reaches its thrilling conclusion tonight, its star Richard Madden has become TV’s hottest heart-throb.
But the actor’s brooding presence and smouldering sex appeal was noticed long ago by none other than Sir Elton John.
Madden, from Elderslie in Renfrewshire, has been personally selected by Sir Elton to play the role of his former Scottish lover.
The musical legend behind hits such as Candle In The Wind and Your Song runs a film company which is about to shoot a movie about his early career as a singer.
Sir Elton, who runs Rocket Pictures with his husband David Furnish, is said to be thrilled at having enticed Madden, 32, to play Paisley-born John Reid, his first manager and ex-boyfriend.
Welder’s son Reid spotted a £10-aweek singer-songwriter called Reg Dwight playing the piano at a Tamla Motown Christmas party in London. He dismissed the piano man as a ‘dumpy little guy in a funny jumpsuit’.
But weeks later, he and the future Elton John were lovers – living together in an exclusive apartment near Marble Arch.
Last night, an insider involved with the film revealed: ‘Elton and David have been aware of Richard’s talent for some time and really wanted him for the role. The decision to cast him was made long before the BBC’s Bodyguard and they were really impressed with his professionalism. Obviously, they’re delighted because Richard has become hot property and suddenly everyone wants him for their films and TV projects.
‘His looks won’t have been lost on them, either – but he is being hired for his talent as an actor.
‘It’s a film that is close to Elton’s heart and he wants everything to be just right, including the casting.’
The film Rocketman, described in publicity material as a ‘rock fantasy’, is due to be released in British cinemas next year. Madden in Milan: Page 47