Elton John celebrates birthday with 'Rocketman' star Taron Egerton

Sir Elton John celebrated a "brilliant birthday surprise" on Wednesday, 25 March 2026, when he reunited with Taron Egerton, the actor who famously portrayed him in the 2019 biopic "Rocketman".

In a heartfelt Instagram post, the seventy-nine-year-old Grammy icon shared a photograph of the pair at a celebratory lunch, captioning the moment "Rocket Man squared."

John expressed his gratitude to his husband, David Furnish, for arranging the surprise, and thanked his global fanbase for the influx of birthday messages and support.

The bond between the two men has remained remarkably strong since they first collaborated on the critically acclaimed film.

At the time of production, John staunchly defended the casting of Egerton, dismissing criticisms regarding the actor’s portrayal of a gay icon.

"I don’t see an actor, I see myself," John previously remarked, highlighting the deep personal connection he felt toward Egerton’s performance.

The duo famously performed together at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, delivering a moving rendition of "I’m Still Standing" that solidified their professional and personal kinship.

Egerton has also been vocal about his respect for the singer, noting that the role was a transformative experience in his career.

Reflecting on the filming process, the thirty-six-year-old actor emphasised that his focus was always on capturing the emotional truth of John’s life rather than the politics of casting.

Since the movie's release, the pair have been seen together at numerous high-profile events, including the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards viewing parties.

Currently, John is enjoying a period of semi-retirement following his final world tour, while Egerton is preparing for several upcoming stage and screen roles scheduled for the 2027 season.