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Sir Elton John said he is 'humbled' after receiving the highest acknowledgement in the Queen's New Year Honours list.

The singer-songwriter who made his home in Old Windsor has enjoyed a glittering career in pop music spanning six decades, in which he sold more than 300 million records around the world.

Sir Elton, 72, has also dedicated much of his life to charity, including his own Aids foundation, and earlier this year he was the subject of a Hollywood biopic.

He also published his long awaited autobiography Me.

In the New Year Honours it was announced the musician, who was knighted for services to music and charitable services in 1998, had been awarded the Companion of Honour.

He tweeted: "I'm humbled and honoured to be among such highly esteemed company in receiving the Companion of Honour.

"2019 has turned out to be a truly wonderful year for me and I feel extraordinarily blessed."

Sir Elton has also achieved great success with his stage work, composing music for Billy Elliott, Aida and the Lion King. He has also performed at royal occasions including the funeral of Princess Diana.

His many honours and awards include the French Legion d'honneur.

The Companion of Honour is a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the arts, science, medicine, or government lasting over a long period of time. The members, of which there are 65 at any one time, currently include actress Dame Maggie Smith, multi Olympic medallist Lord Coe, former Prime Minister John Major and human rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu.