Taron Egerton reveals 'special connection' with Elton John

Hollywood star Taron Egerton believes he has a "special connection" with Elton John after playing him in Rocketman.

The 36-year-old said when he had the chance to play the singer it was a "singular opportunity" that he embraced.

John, the actor said, was "very complimentary" about his performance in the 2019 biopic, for which he was nominated for a Bafta.

"I think we have a special connection over that movie, and I saw him a couple of weeks ago," Egerton said. "I surprised him for his birthday and we had lunch. It was lovely."

Golden Globe winner Egerton said he thought it must be "weird" to have someone play you, adding: "[John] has said lots of lovely things over the years."

In an interview with Mad Max actress Charlize Theron for Esquire, he declared the Welshest thing about him was his love of singing.

The pair are starring together in new Netflix action drama Apex.

Egerton, from Aberystwyth, in Ceredigion, said: "There's a tradition of choral singing in Wales. Some people think that all Welsh people can sing and I would tend to agree."

He is also rarely intimidated professionally by people he is working with, Egerton said.

"I get intimidated socially sometimes, I think, by people, but generally, when I step on set, I'm good," he said.

Italian Job legend Michael Caine, 93, "levelled the playing field quite quickly" when they worked together on 2014's Kingsman: The Secret Service.

Egerton said: "He's so down to earth. And he said a couple of very, very lovely things."