Elton John has revealed that he used to get bullied after he became famous.

In an interview with E! News, The Rocket Man admitted that even though he was an adult and had achieved worldwide success as a recording artist, he still received abuse from three “very important people” in his life who took advantage of his shyness.

John, who opted not to name and shame the trio of bullies in question, said: “It was about control and them being able to keep me under their thumb. And I was the perfect candidate for it. Even though I was famous and a big deal, it doesn’t matter, it’s who you are underneath that, and I was always kind of shy and intimidated.”

He went on to add: “One was violent and the other two were mentally violent. They were very important people in my life. They were important people in my career and in my personal life.”

The singer will release a new album titled ‘The Diving Board’ this autumn. Speaking about the LP, which is the follow-up to his 2010 effort ‘The Union’, he claimed that the album was his “most exciting” for a long time and said he was “psyched” about the finished product.

Elton John is set to tour the UK this summer, with the singer recently announcing that he will become the first artist play a gig at Tower Festival Headland, a new seated venue near Blackpool Tower on the Lancashire town’s seafront, on June 16.

He will play:

Taunton Somerset Country Cricket Club (June 3)

Blackpool Tower Festival Headland (16)