Eminem - Elton John Helping Eminem Stay Sober

Rap superstar EMINEM has been receiving guidance in his sobriety battle from an unlikely source - SIR ELTON JOHN.

The Stan hitmaker, real name Marshall Mathers III, struggled for years with an addiction to painkillers and anti-depressants - popping as many as 20 pills a day at the height of his problems, and nearly losing his life after an accidental methadone overdose.

Eminem has now been sober for more than 18 months - and it's partly thanks to the Rocket Man.

The odd pair became friends after performing together at the Grammy Awards in 2001.

The duet stirred controversy because John is openly-gay and Eminem is frequently criticised for using homophobic lyrics in his songs.

But the duo has remained in contact and Eminem has been relying on the singer for support.

In an interview with BBC radio, John says, "I've been helping Eminem over the last 18 months and he's doing brilliantly.

"I'm there if people want my help. If people ask for help you tell them where to go but there's no point advising people if they don't want to do it."

John battled drugs and alcohol addictions early on in his career but has been sober since the 1980s. He has been using his own experiences to advise other celebrity pals, including singer George Michael and the late Michael Jackson.