SALISBURY'S biggest Elton John superfan has praised the musician's Glastonbury performance - reportedly his final ever show in the UK. 

Paul Smith, who owns Vinyl Collectors and Sellers in the Cross Keys, first became a fan of Elton John when he first saw him on the royal variety show in the November of 1972, in which he after bought the single Crocodile Rock when he was just eight years old.

Paul first saw Elton in concert in 1979 in Southampton where he said he ‘pestered’ the Downton school’s music department to have a trip.

Throughout his life Paul has seen Elton John in concert a massive 78 times with his 79th being in Stockholm this July.

He has also met Elton six times including this February at a book signing in London as well as at charity events for the Elton John Aids Foundation.

Paul has a breadth of knowledge on Elton and his life and has even had Ray Williams enter the shop who was responsible for putting Elton John and Bernie Taupin together, who Paul said really helped Elton’s career be what it is today.

His shop in the Cross Keys shopping mall contains a multitude of Elton memorabilia including a window display, a rarities display of items and latterly an online store.

He also has a personal memorabilia room which had featured on the Channel 4 show Collectors’ Lot containing many items such as his first record bought as well as merchandise from the many concerts Paul has been to.

When being asked what it is that makes Elton stand out Paul said that “over the years his ability to adapt, to move with the times and unlike a lot of artists today, his music has changed so much”.

He adds that it is his adaptability, knowledge of the music industry and how to keep himself relevant that makes him so popular.

Paul also has an Elton fan page on Facebook called Elton John Online which he started in 2015 and has more than 12,000 followers.

Elton’s husband David Furnish has even liked and commented on the page.

Paul said: “I would hope from the rave reviews he got from Glastonbury at the weekend, people will see why because he’s just a fantastic live performer and he always has been”.

“I don’t think there’s many people on this earth that don’t know him. He is a living legend."