I've dodged so many bullets. Not just because of unsafe sex, but because of the amount of drugs I did, the amount of alcohol, the amount of work I was doing. I started the Elton John AIDS Foundation because I got so lucky.

I've watched other people singing, I've become a much better singer. I've become a singer that plays the piano instead of a piano player that sings.

I've got to think about what I'm going to say very carefully. There's two avenues of thought: Do you stop everyone going, ban all the artists coming in from Russia? But then you're really leaving the men and women who are gay and suffering under the antigay laws in an isolated situation. As a gay man, I can't leave those people on their own without going over there and supporting them. I don't know what's going to happen, but I've got to go.

I went to a mixed school and I can't remember being bullied at school, ever. I was quite large, in those days. Usually, if you're going to be a bully, you'll pick on someone who is small. I didn't bully anybody, and I don't remember being bullied.

I have an optimistic view of everything. You have to, otherwise you'd go nuts.

I was sitting in the classroom trying to look intelligent in case the teacher looked at me.

I'm so proud to be on a Kate Bush record; she's always marched to the beat of her own drum.