Friends from Sir Elton John’s inner circle state that the superstar is in danger from his husband David Furnish, aged 53. They are worried that Furnish is exerting too much influence on the rock legend, aged 68, at a very turbulent time in his life when he is most vulnerable after parting with a host of loyal employees and managers with consequences including bungled record deals.

There is speculation concerning the role that Furnish is playing in Sir Elton’s PR gaffes and bungled financial deals. “Elton is looking for a quiet life and has handed control of his life to David, but David is behaving like a control freak with little idea how to run Elton’s financial and domestic affairs,” said a source close to the couple.