Sir Elton John paid an emotional tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II as he brought his concert in Canada to standstill last night, following the announcement of the monarch's yesterday.
The singer, 75, had initially responded to the news on Twitter, writing in a post that he was "deeply saddened" by news that the Queen had passed away at the age of 96.
He subsequently further paid his respects whilst performing at the Rogers Centre in Toronto as part of his ongoing Farewell Yellow Brick Road tour.
Taking a moment to reflect on the passing of the Queen, he told the crowd last night: "She was an inspiring presence to be around - I've been around her and she was fantastic.
"She led the country though some of our greatest and darkest moments with grace, decency and a genuine care and warmth," he further commented during his speech.
She's been with me all my life," added Elton, "And I feel very sad that she won't be with me any more. But I'm glad she's at peace [and] at rest.
"She deserves it because she's worked bloody hard," he told the crowd.
Elton - who received his knighthood in 1998 - said that he was sending love to those closest to the Queen and added that although she will be missed "but her spirit lives on".
He asked fans to celebrate her life with him at the concert, through music, and proceeded to perform Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me after the speech about the Queen.
Elton had met her on several occasions and has performed for the Royal Family at numerous events, including as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations earlier this year.
He also notably performed at the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. He had re-released Candle in the Wind, with revised lyrics, in tribute to Diana following her death.
The Grammy Award winner is among a host of celebrities who have paid tribute following news of the Queen's death, with others including Piers Morgan and Victoria Beckham.
The news came shortly after palace officials issued a statement expressing concern for her health, which was followed-up with confirmation that she had passed away.
It confirmed that the Queen - who will be succeeded as the monarch by her son King Charles III - had died "peacefully" at Balmoral Castle yesterday afternoon.
