Elton bumper payday

Showbiz

09:30 17 June 2005

Sir Elton John secured a bumper £25 million payday on Wednesday(15.06.05).

Bosses at the world famous Caesars Palace Coliseum are so thrilled with the runaway success of Elton's show 'The Red Piano', which has played to packed audiences, they have offered him a new two year deal.

Elton said: "I am delighted. I love playing at the Coliseum which is the best venue in Las Vegas. Thank you, Caesars!"

The original deal was said to have paid Elton £28 million for 75 shows over three years.

But the hotel-casino accelerated the schedule due to demand and Elton's 75 shows were completed in less than 18 months.

The new deal will mean 57-year-old Elton playing another 150 shows which will end in 2008.

Meanwhile, Elton has been made into a life-size chocolate replica.

The sweet honour was unveiled at London's Madame Tussauds waxwork museum earlier this week after the outspoken star was voted Britain's favourite personality.

Elton's partner David Furnish attended the unveiling and admitted the statue, which took over 1,000 hours to create, looked "just like him".

(c) BANG Media International