Elton John was bullied even after he became famous

The 65-year-old `Rocket Man` singer - who has one-year-old son Zachary with partner David Furnish - admits he was tormented by some of the key players in his career - and was even hit by one.

He said: "It was about control and them being able to keep me under their thumb, and I was the perfect candidate for it. Even though I was famous and a big deal, it doesn`t matter, it`s who you are underneath that, and I was always kind of shy and intimidated.

"One was violent and the other two were mentally violent. They were very important people in my life. They were important people in my career and in my personal life."

But the Grammy Award winner - who is working on an anti-bullying campaign with Lady Gaga - urges victims to tell someone if they are being targeted.

He told E! News: "Speak out, speak out. Snitch on them. Try to defend yourself, not like me, who hid it and thought it was okay to just go on like it."

Addressing the bullies, Elton asks them to look insider themselves and work out the reason for their behaviour.

He said: "Your insecurities are what drive you to do this. You need to consider your consequences. I`m sure underneath it, you`re all very nice people. We`ve all made mistakes in our life - this is a good time now to correct your mistakes and help people.

"We have to nip this in the bud, too many people have died. Too many young people have committed suicide because they`ve been frightened of 15 to 16-year-olds."

And he acknowledges that son Zachary could fall victim to bullies when he reaches school age, but prays he will speak out.

He added: "I know by being two same-sex parents that when my boy goes to school he`s probably going to have some people saying, `Oh you don`t have a mummy?."

sections: Celebrities