STARRY NIGHT OF MUSIC & FASHION

The stars were out in force for the Devil Wears Prada premiere, which was in support of the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the singer-songwriter himself announced some shocking news

- EVE MACDONALD

Celebrities flocked to the West End last week for the premiere of new musical The Devil Wears Prada. The highly anticipated version of the 2006 blockbuster film, based on Lauren Weisberger’s best-selling 2003 novel, opened with a charity gala at London’s Dominion Theatre.

The star-studded event attracted celebrities such as Sir Elton John, who wrote the score, and Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour – who is supposedly the inspiration for the Miranda Priestly character. It was an unforgettable night of glitz and glamour, but the iconic quotes, dazzling outfits and incredible performances were almost upstaged by Elton John’s shocking health announcement.

Sadly, the award-winning singer had to leave early due to problems with his vision. Thanking the cast and crew at the end of the performance, he said, “As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it. I want to thank my husband [David Furnish] who’s been my rock because I haven’t been able to come to many of the previews… it’s hard for me to see it but I love to hear it – and it sounded good tonight. Thank you for coming!”

Elton’s emotional admission came just days after a television interview in which he revealed that his health had left him feeling “stuck”. The 77-year-old singer – who had an eye infection earlier this year – was forced to pause his recording work.

He explained, “I unfortunately lost my eyesight in my right eye in July because I got an infection in the south of France and it’s been four months now since I haven’t been able to see, and my left eye is not the greatest.

“So there’s hope and encouragement that it will be OK, but it’s... I’m kind of stuck at the moment, because I can do something like this [an interview], but going into the studio and recording, I don’t know, because I can’t see a lyric for a start.”