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Delta Goodrem reveals how Sir Elton John helped her with her cancer battle

Delta Goodrem has been inspired to write a track in honour of Sir Elton John on her new album (Image: Getty Images)
Delta Goodrem has been inspired to write a track in honour of Sir Elton John on her new album (Image: Getty Images)

Back in 2003, when Delta Goodrem was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, she had to take a break from her up-and-coming singing and acting career. The Aussie singer received an outpouring of support from her fans, but there was one supportive call she didn’t expect to receive.

Talking on White Wine Question Time, the 36-year-old said she was lucky to receive a call from Sir Elton John.

“When I first broke on the scene, Sir Elton did give me a call,” she revealed to podcast host Kate Thornton.

“He actually called me on my very first day of chemo to wish me well.”

Watch: Delta Goodrem opens up about having to learn to talk again

Calling him a “very special man” the singer has previously revealed that he actually wished her well from the entire UK. She said: 'I'll never forget Elton John calling me… And saying ‘On behalf of Britain, we hope you feel better.' It was a pretty extraordinary time."

He’s not the only pop superstar to reach out to the singer – Aussie pop royalty, Olivia Newton John has long been a mentor to Goodrem, who even played the Grease star in a 2018 biopic of her life.

Read more: Sir Elton John says it's time for internet trolls to be held accountable

“She's also, as an Aussie, been that mentor in my life,” Goodrem told Thornton.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 08:  Olivia Newton John and Delta Goodrem attends the Olivia Newton-John Gala Red Carpet at Crown Palladium on September 8, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia.  (Photo by Sam Tabone/WireImage)
Olivia Newton John and Delta Goodrem attends the Olivia Newton-John Gala Red Carpet 2017 (Sam Tabone/WireImage)

“She's always sort of watches over you and she's always got time for everybody. As a young artist when I started, you know, they're really impressionable moments!”

Listen: Delta Goodrem admits she probably should have listened to her mum more

It’s something Goodrem is keen to pay back to other artists, which she did until recently as a judge on The Voice in Australia.

“I am so cognisant of when an artist first starts, how important it is to let them know there's a community of artists as well,” she explained.

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She continued: “I have done the last nine years on The Voice and getting to mentor these artists and be able to share… It's like you live this first discovery with them again, you start to see them get their dreams coming true — and you want to you want to bring their dreams to life.”

Elton John surprised the young Delta by calling her up on her first day of chemotherapy (Photo by Ron Elkman/USA TODAY NETWORK/Sipa USA)
Elton John surprised the young Delta by calling her up on her first day of chemotherapy (Photo by Ron Elkman/USA TODAY NETWORK/Sipa USA)

And it’s clear that John has been one of those to inspire her during her life – she’s even included a song for him on her new album Bridge Over Troubled Dreams!

“I wrote a song on the album called Dear Elton,” the former Neighbours star said.

“I mean, he is the master. He's so special. When I think of the UK, I think of Elton John!”

Hear Delta Goodrem talk about how she learnt brand new technology skills during lockdown! Listen now on Apple Podcast and Spotify.

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