Elton John lands his own sitcom

Elton John is to star in his own TV comedy - about an aging rock star.

The half-hour show, being developed for America’s ABC studio, will chart the character’s relationship with his entourage while touring.

John’s business manager Bob Halley first mooted the idea. He told Hollywood trade paper Variety: “We have many laughs together, we work hard, and we enjoy ourselves. Elton was up for it, and we went from there."

John added: “I think it will be one of the funniest things on TV in a while.

But he insisted his character wasn’t based solely on himself – but an amalgam of other "male divas" like Rod Stewart, Mick Jagger, Freddy Mercury and David Bowie.

"It's not about me, but about everybody we've encountered over the past 30 years. We’ve met every star and seen every misbehaviour. And it's about the people around the star, who have to put up with them. It’s an upmarket Spinal Tap. "

Producer Michael Edlesein added: “Elton's been very public about the craziness of his life. He's got a hairdresser, valet and two straight SWAT bodyguards on staff. They've assembled their own wacky family.”

Writer Cindy Chupack, who previously worked on Sex And The City, said the relationship between John and Halley reminded her of Larry and Artie on The Larry Sanders Show.

The show will be shot with a single camera, similar to reality shows like The Osbournes, rather than as a traditional sitcom. And a back catalogue of tracks is being created for the lead character.

Published: 4 Nov 2004