Sir Elton John to receive first ever BRITs Icon Award

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Sir Elton John will be awarded the very first Brit Icon Award at the BRIT Awards ceremony this September.

The organisers are quoted as saying that Sir Elton will receive the inaugural accolade in recognition of his “lasting impact on the nation’s culture”.

John has sold over 250 million records and holds the record for best selling single of all time for’Candle in the Wind’97′, re-released in memory of Princess Diana and selling 33 million copies in the process.

The new award is set to become an annual fixture given to the artist who has had a similar impact on UK music and culture. Elton commented on the honorary award:

“It’s a tremendous honour and a real thrill for me to have my work acknowledged in this way, and I’m really looking forward to participating in what promises to be a very special occasion.”

The musical legend has unfortunately been forced to cancel a string of summer dates and festivals due to a recent illness following on from appendicitis, the singer however should be better for the Brit award show in September.

BPI and Brit Awards chief executive Geoff Taylor commented:

“Elton John has achieved such a level of artistic creativity and originality, critical acclaim, global recognition and popular success,” he deserves to be recognised as a “true icon of our cultural life”.