Watch the moment Elton John mocks his failing eyesight onstage at Golden Globes – after revealing he can ‘no longer see’
ELTON John made this year’s Golden Globes audience break into laughter while poking fun at his failing eyesight.
The music icon, 77, was presenting an award on stage in Los Angeles when he made the amusing quip about his vision.
Last summer, Sir Elton was left without sight in his right eye after being struck down with an infection in the South Of France.
At the time, he also described the vision in his left eye as “not the greatest”.
Taking to the stage at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on Sunday night, Elton mocked his health woes with the Golden Globes audience.
Elton had been given the job of presenting the gong for Best Original Score alongside US singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile, who he collaborated with on his documentary It’s Never Too Late.
He said: “It’s a very special night for me to be here because, I don’t know if you know, but there has been a lot of stories going around about my regressive eyesight.
“And I just want to reassure everyone it is not as bad as it seems. I’m so pleased to be here with my co-host, Rihanna.”
The audience, packed with A-listers from the world of film, burst out laughing and clapped Sir Elton for his joke.
He and Brandi then went on to announce the winners of the award – Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for their Challengers soundtrack.
Sharing his approval, Elton exclaimed: “Yay.”
Elton shocked fans last month by sharing the news about his vision at the premiere and charity gala of The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical.
The Brit legend wrote original music for the musical and attended the star-studded event with his husband David Furnish, 62.
However, Elton admitted that he was unable to watch the show and was led out early.
He told the audience in London: “As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight.
“I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it.”
He continued with a tribute to David, saying: “To my husband who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews.
“It’s hard for me to see it but I love to hear it and it sounded good tonight. Thank you for coming!”
Prior to his appearance at the Dominion Theatre, Elton had told Robin Roberts on Good Morning America that he was struggling to be productive due to his lack of sight.
He said: “I unfortunately lost my eye sight in my right eye in July because I had an infection in the South of France.”
What albums has Sir Elton John released?
How many records has Elton released across his career?
Empty Sky – 1969
Elton John – 1970
Tumbleweed Connection – 1970
Madman Across the Water – 1971
Honky Château – 1972
Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player – 1973
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – 1973
Caribou – 1974
Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy – 1975
Rock of the Westies – 1975
Blue Moves – 1976
A Single Man – 1978
Victim of Love – 1979
21 at 33 – 1980
The Fox – 1981
Jump Up! – 1982
Too Low for Zero – 1983
Breaking Hearts – 1984
Ice on Fire – 1985
Leather Jackets – 1986
Reg Strikes Back – 1988
Sleeping with the Past – 1989
The One – 1992
Made in England – 1995
The Big Picture – 1997
Songs from the West Coast – 2001
Peachtree Road – 2004
The Captain & the Kid – 2006
The Diving Board – 2013
Wonderful Crazy Night – 2016
Regimental Sgt. Zippo – 2021
Elton added: “It’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see. My left eye is not the greatest.
“It’s been a while since I’ve done anything. I just have to get off my backside.”
Elton had appeared on the US breakfast show to promote his documentary, Elton John: It’s Never Too Late.
But the superstar singer – who shares sons Zachary, 13, and Elijah, 11, with David – said losing his vision had derailed him.
“It kind of floored me, and I can’t see anything,” Elton continued. “I can’t read anything, I can’t watch anything.
“There’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay. But I’m kind of stuck in the moment, going into the studio and recording, I don’t know. Because I can’t see a lyric for start.”