Elton John has opened up about his relationship with the late John Lennon, saying that he 'misses him so much'.

Sir Elton revealed that when he performs the Lennon tribute track 'Empty Garden', he makes sure he looks straight into the audience so he doesn't catch a glimpse of the images of the former Beatle that appear onscreen behind him, for fear of bursting into tears. The 'Candle In The Wind' legend revealed the memories of losing the late Beatle, who was fatally shot at the age of 40 by a psychotic fan, are still raw.

"I don't look back when I'm playing that song - if I see the footage of John, I get choked up and it's too hard to get through the song," he told Entertainment Weekly ahead of upcoming residency at Las Vegas' Caesars Palace. "I miss him so much. He was a force of nature, and you don't get many of those. And you sure as hell miss them when they leave."

Watch the video for 'Empty Garden' below

 The two musicians collaborated in 1974 when Lennon featured on a b-side of Sir Elton's, 'One Day at a Time'. The 'Rocket Man' singer returned the favour by featuring on Lennon's 'Whatever Gets You Thru the Night'. Later that year, Lennon appeared on stage with John at his Madison Square Garden concert to perform the two hits, in what was to be the Beatles star's last major live performance.

Elton John released his 31st studio album The Diving Board earlier this month.

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