Sir Elton John has revealed his children have to do chores to learn the importance of earning pocket money.

The singer said he wants to ensure he keeps life normal for his sons Zachary and Elijah, and spoke about doing the school run, going to Pizza Hut and visiting Waterstones to buy books with them.

Sir Elton, whose new album Wonderful Crazy Night has just been released, described their life as “all very normal” on The Graham Norton Show.

Sir Elton John on The Graham Norton Show ( Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
Sir Elton John on The Graham Norton Show ( Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

He said: “It’s hard to keep things real because we don’t really live real lives. We live in a rarefied atmosphere so they have to learn the importance of earning their pocket money by doing chores.

“I’m already planning for when they grow up and they get an old Vauxhall. They are not getting a brand new car.”

Sir Elton performs on The Graham Norton Show (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)
Sir Elton performs on the show (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

The 68-year-old also spoke about rumours of his retirement, admitting he is “gradually going to wind down” to spend more time with his family.

He added: “I’m not stopping yet. I’m not quite old enough, but there will be a time when that will happen.”

He addressed his former long-standing feud with singer Madonna which was sparked when he made disparaging remarks about her, and revealed how he apologised to her.

“I said something horrible about her that you should never say. I was in a restaurant in the south of France a couple of years ago and she walked in so I sent her a note saying, ‘You’ll probably never speak to me again but I am really sorry and ashamed of myself and can I buy you dinner’.”

Madonna accepted the apology and they made amends, and Sir Elton added: “We are fine – it was just me and my big mouth.

“I can’t say it won’t happen again, but not with Madonna.”

Sir Elton’s appearance on Friday night’s BBC One show comes after he surprised commuters at London’s St Pancras station this week when he started playing a piano he had donated in the middle of the station.

He played for delighted fans for a few minutes, before leaving a note on the piano which said: “Enjoy this piano. It’s a gift. Love, Elton John.”