Elton John, 72, blames his ‘diva’ reputation on his past cocaine habit

Elton John, 72, blames his ‘diva’ reputation on his past cocaine habit, which made him ‘shout at people’

Elton John has blamed his reputation for being a diva on his past cocaine use. 

The Tiny Dancer singer opened up about his drug habit in the 1970s and said it was the ‘worst decision’ of his life to try cocaine in 1974. 

Elton, 72, said he shouted at people because of the drug, which led to ‘bad behaviour and irrationality’.

Excuse: Elton John, 72, has blamed his reputation for being on a diva on his past cocaine use

He told the Awards Chatter podcast: ‘I saw someone doing cocaine and didn’t know what it was. They said it makes you feel good. So I thought “I will have a go”. Worse decision of my life.  

‘I shouted at people. I wasn’t proud of that behaviour because it is not really who I am. 

‘It lead a lot of people to say I’ve always been a diva. I am not. Now I don’t take drugs,’ he added.

Elton previously opened about his cocaine habit in his memoirs, which were serialised in the Daily Mail in October. 

Honest: The singer opened up about his drug habit in the 1970s and said it was the 'worst decision' of his life to try cocaine in 1974 (pictured: the star performing in London in 1974)

Honest: The singer opened up about his drug habit in the 1970s and said it was the ‘worst decision’ of his life to try cocaine in 1974 (pictured: the star performing in London in 1974)

Diva: Elton said he shouted at people because of the drug, which led to 'bad behaviour and irrationality' (pictured: The star on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1974)

Diva: Elton said he shouted at people because of the drug, which led to ‘bad behaviour and irrationality’ (pictured: The star on the Old Grey Whistle Test in 1974) 

The star wrote: ‘I had started taking cocaine in 1974. I liked how it made me feel. That jolt of confidence and euphoria, the sense that I could suddenly open up, that I didn’t feel shy or intimidated, that I could talk to anybody.

‘That was all bull***t, of course. I was full of energy, I was inquisitive, I had a sense of humour and a thirst for knowledge: I didn’t need a drug to make me talk to people. 

He went on: ‘My appetite for the stuff was unbelievable — enough to attract comment in the circles I was moving in. 

‘Given that I was a rock star spending a lot of time in Seventies L.A., this was a not inconsiderable feat.

Showman: Elton previously opened about his cocaine habit in his memoirs, which were serialised in the Daily Mail in October (Pictured: Elton appears on The Muppet Show in 1977)

Showman: Elton previously opened about his cocaine habit in his memoirs, which were serialised in the Daily Mail in October (Pictured: Elton appears on The Muppet Show in 1977)

‘Once again, you might think this would have given me pause for thought, but I’m afraid the next 16 years were full of incidents that would have given any rational human being pause concerning their drug consumption.

‘That was the problem. Because I was doing coke, I wasn’t a rational human being any more. You become unreasonable and irresponsible, self-obsessed, a law unto yourself.

‘It’s your way or the highway. It’s a horrible drug.’

Elton’s words about his drug use come after he shared a festive Instagram video message dedicated to his achievements in 2019.

The video, posted on Christmas Day, was just over a minute-and-a-half long and was uploaded with the caption ‘Merry Christmas’ and a series of emojis, including a rocket one.

‘Merry Christmas everybody, and thank you for making 2019 probably the most successful year of my career’, he began his message. Wow, at 72 years of age, I’m blown away.’

One of the biggest pop stars of all time, Elton has been active for over 50 years.

Proud: Elton's words about his drug use come after he shared a festive Instagram video message dedicated to his achievements in 2019

Proud: Elton’s words about his drug use come after he shared a festive Instagram video message dedicated to his achievements in 2019

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk