Elton John haunted by Versace

Sep 15, 2006, 10:54 GMT

British Singer Sir Elton John arrives at the Fashion Rocks Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City,Thursday, 07 September, 2006. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Sir Elton John is still haunted by the death of "soul mate" Gianni Versace.

The 'Rocket Man' singer was left devastated when the Italian fashion designer was shot dead on his doorstep in Miami in 1997, the same year another of his close friends, Princess Diana, was killed in a Paris car crash.

Elton revealed in an interview with Britain's The Sun newspaper: "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of people like Gianni and Diana and John Lennon and other friends who have gone needlessly.

"Two of my best friends have been murdered on their doorsteps in America - I don't think many people can say that.

"There's always some little memory that brings you back to it. I miss John Lennon's laugh and every day I wish Gianni was alive because we were soul mates."

The flamboyant star also had some words of advice for Robbie Williams.

Elton - who was once accused by Robbie of "kidnapping" him after he took him to his home before sending him to rehab to be treated for alcoholism and drug addiction - says the 'Rudebox' singer needs to get over his feud with his Take That manager Nigel Martin-Smith because it will end up destroying him.

He said: "I wish he would please just let it all go. All he is doing is burning a hole inside of him, eating him up, making him angry and miserable.

"He should give himself a pat on the back and be proud of what he's achieved. He's the No 1 star in the world."

(C) BANG Media International