Elton Heads For The Desert

Rocker SIR Elton John has signed a record-breaking $54 million (GBP36 million) deal to play in American gambling hotspot Las Vegas.

The crooner, who has just topped the British charts with ARE YOU READY FOR LOVE?, will perform 300 concerts over two years at the COLOSSEUM THEATRE at CAESAR'S PALACE, standing in for Celine Dion on her days off.

The former drug addict will now become the highest paid concert performer in the world.

JOHN MEGLER, president of the company which runs the Colosseum says, "We always intended for world-class artists to play the venue."

A source adds, "Everyone is very excited about Elton coming here. It needs a star of his stature to fill the Colosseum.

"This is a state-of-the-art facility. The special effects are amazing.

"Celine actually has a piano which takes flight in her show. We're not sure if that is something Elton will be incorporating. In Vegas nothing succeeds like excess, and Elton is the master showman."