EMILY PRESCOTT: Elton John trademarks his own name

Elton John’s performance on Glastonbury’s main Pyramid stage tonight is set to be his last hurrah on British soil before retiring – but it’s unlikely it’s the last we’ll be hearing from the Rocket Man.

The 76-year-old already appears to be planning new commercial ventures, as I can reveal he has trademarked his own name for a range of possible projects, including clothing, jewellery and film and TV purposes.

Sir Elton – who, surprisingly, hasn’t trademarked his name before – had his law firm file for protection with the Intellectual Property Office, which is currently assessing the application. The categories in the paperwork range from walking sticks to mouse mats, and even include collars and leads for pets.

That might be apt given Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish, 60, recently bought a black labrador puppy called Jacob.

That might be apt given Sir Elton and his husband David Furnish, 60, recently bought a black labrador puppy called Jacob

Announcing the puppy’s arrival on Instagram, David revealed the adorable new pooch is being looked after by their sons, saying: ‘Zachary and Elijah are co-fathering little Jacob, and have proudly declared that Elton and I are… erm… grandparents!’

But new commercial ventures and a puppy aren’t the only thing in the couple’s future as David tells me the pair are planning to jet off to the South of France after Glastonbury for some much needed rest and relaxation. Tonight’s gig is the last in Sir Elton’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road tour, which began in Pennsylvania in September 2018, and has consisted of more than 300 performances. ‘It will be so different this time as there will be no concerts after the holiday,’ David tells me. ‘It is exciting.’

Sir Elton has created a new show for Glastonbury, starting with a song he has not played in a decade – although he has not revealed which one. He will also be joined by four mystery guests, setting the rumour mill into overdrive. Fans have suggested names including Dua Lipa, Britney Spears, Harry Styles, Kylie Minogue – or even Taron Egerton, who played Sir Elton in the Rocketman biopic and who was spotted at Worthy Farm yesterday.

We’ll know soon enough!