ELTON JOHN - ELTON JOHN DUETS WITH CRICKET STAR

SIR ELTON JOHN will sing a duet with England cricket star ANDREW FLINTOFF next month (09MAY06) to raise money for charity. The unlikely pair have been firm friends since Flintoff adopted John's ROCKET MAN song as the England team's unofficial anthem during last year's (05) Ashes tournament against Australia. The duet will take place at Flintoff's benefit event in London's Battersea Park and will raise funds for the Chase Ben Hollioake Fund, Leukaemia Research, The Kirsty Appeal, the Magic Bus Charity and the Lords Taverners. Speaking about his admiration for the sports star, John says, "Andrew puts bums on seats, makes the game as exciting as it can be. And he plays the game in a sporting manner, the manner in which all sports should be played." Of the duet Flintoff says, "Appearing with the great man, at the moment, seems far more daunting than bowling to RICKY PONTING or facing GLENN MCGRATH and SHANE WARNE. "I'm really looking forward to Elton performing Rocket Man - which became such a special part of last summer's Ashes success."