SIR ELTON JOHN revealed earlier today he is quitting touring for good after more than five decades for the sake of his family.

I caught up with the Rocket Man immediately after his emotional announcement for an exclusive interview, which you can read here tomorrow.

9 Elton John shocked the world of showbiz earlier today when he announced he would be quitting touring for good

But fans will be treated to a final extravaganza, as Elton unveil­ed his mammoth three-year, 300-date Farewell Yellow Brick Road Tour, after which he will stop for good.

In a press conference at New York’s Gotham Hall, he said: “I am not going to be touring any more, apart from the last tour which is going to start in September of this year, and it’ll be a global tour.

“It is the last time I will be touring and travelling the world because my priorities have changed.”

The superstar, who has sons Zachary, seven, and Elijah, five, with husband DAVID FURNISH, continued: “We had children, and they have changed our lives. In 2015 David and I sat down with a school schedule and I thought, ‘I don’t want to miss too much of this’.

9 Elton John spoke to Bizarre's Dan Wootton after his shock announcement, which will appear in tomorrow's Bizarre column Credit: DawBell PR

9 The singer, pictured with husband David, said he wanted to take a step back to spend more time with his family Credit: Splash News

9 The couple share two sons, Elijah and Zachary Credit: Instagram/Elton John

“I’ve had an amazing life, I’ve had an amazing career, I’ve been so incredibly lucky. And my life has changed.

“When I stop they’re going to be ten and eight and that’s a very important time of their lives

“I love them so much, I don’t want to miss them, and I don’t want them to miss me.”

Tour by numbers Elton will play more than 300 shows, in FIVE continents, over THREE years, to 4.5million fans.

WHERE HE’LL PLAY:

America - September 8, 2018

Europe - April 2019

Asia - November 2019

Australia - December 2019

South America - March 2020

Europe part 2 and UK - late 2020

North America - 2021

The schedule will include ten nights in the UK.

Elton insisted he will continue to make music and may perform a residency once the tour ends, but can’t bear to travel any more.

9 Elton's career spans an incredible five decades Credit: Getty - Contributor

He explained: “I’m not going to be one of those people who says, ‘I’m going to do a world tour, I’m retiring’. I’m not CHER. Even though I like wearing her clothes. So this is the end.

“I said to Zachary, ‘When Daddy dies, promise me there won’t be a hologram of me going around the world doing concerts’.

That’s the last thing I want. Who knows, they may go broke and put me back on the f***ing stage. But I think that’s a bit freaky.

Elton John performs Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word

“If I do live shows ever again, I imagine it would be something like a residency, like KATE BUSH did in the Hammersmith Apollo — she did three weeks. I don’t want to travel.”

The tour — which is in partnership with Gucci, which will design all of Elton’s outfits — will begin in Pennsylvania, America, on September 8.

Elton added: “It’s going to be the most produced, fantastic show that I have ever done on the road.

“I’m really looking forward to doing this tour — and I’m really looking forward to the 300th date.”

I don’t blame him.

Read on for more of Dan Wootton's Bizarre column

Thanks for the Ed's up

GEORGE EZRA is taking dry January to new levels with a double detox from booze and social media.

The singer revealed he is switching his phone off every night after advice from pal ED SHEERAN.

9 Credit: PA:Press Association

In an exclusive chat George, back with new single Paradise, said: “I had bouts of anxiety. Ed Sheeran told me he’s just on an iPad now. The world is going to keep spinning, you’re not going to miss anything.”

He has also quit booze to focus on the March release of second record Staying At Tamara’s.

He added: “It’s only been two weeks so far. The bit I miss is the hangovers – the excuse to lounge about.”

He can be on fry-up duty for his pals the morning after then.

Howdy, yee-haa Ora

IT looks like RITA ORA spent Paris Fashion Week binge-watching Toy Story rather than the catwalk.

The former America’s Next Top Model host channelled Disney cowboy Woody, with her hat and yellow shirt for a date with her producer boyfriend ANDREW WATT, after the pair flew into New York on Tuesday evening.

9 Rita Ora channelled her inner cowboy while heading to dinner in New York Credit: Splash News

9 There was a striking resemblance to Toy Story character Woody Credit: Handout

This week it was revealed that Rita had made it on to Forbes magazine’s annual list of Europe’s 30 brightest acts under 30, alongside fellow Brits ANTHONY JOSHUA, DUA LIPA, LITTLE MIX and Game of Thrones actresses MAISIE WILLIAMS and NATHALIE EMMANUEL.

Still, I’m not sure this look will catch on.

NTA red carpet exclusive

I GOT tough-talking KIM WOODBURN to grill celebs at the NTAs – but she dropped the biggest bombshell.

9 How Clean Is Your House star and loudmouth Kim Woodburn at last night's NTAs Credit: Dan Charity - The Sun

The How Clean Is Your House muckbuster revealed to ROD STEWART’s wife PENNY LANCASTER: “I went to your husband’s house. I was going for a job as a cleaner when he had his other wife. I knocked on the door and she said she wouldn’t come down until I’d given my birth date so they could check me out with a psychic.”

You can watch Kim terrorising stars including FERNE McCANN, CAROLINE FLACK and PETER ANDRE on the red carpet on my Facebook page.

Biz bit STING and SHAGGY are releasing a Caribbean-influenced album called 44/876. Sting got Shaggy, who he calls “the Pope of Jamaica” to work with him in LA. He said: “I’ve always had an affinity for the island”. The album is out in April.