Sir Elton fights High Court ruling

Sir Elton vowed to appeal against the court's decision

Sir Elton John is set to challenge a High Court ruling made against him in a multi-million pound battle over touring costs.

Lawyers for the singer are to ask original trial judge Mr Justice Ferris to grant leave to appeal against his original decision on Wednesday.

If this fails the argument can be taken to the Court of Appeal.

In April the judge dismissed Sir Elton's £14m claim against his former management company, leaving an estimated £8m legal bill for the star.

Reid was Sir Elton's business manager for 26 years

Sir Elton had sued Andrew Haydon, former managing director of John Reid Enterprises (JREL) and City accountants PricewaterhouseCoopers, which looked after his business interests.

The singer accused Mr Haydon, his former manager of 26 years, of negligence in allowing JREL to charge him overseas tour expenses, including booking agents, accountants and producers.

Sir Elton claimed he had agreed with JREL that it would pay the costs of his touring.

In return, it would receive a commission of 20% gross of all the money he made as a performer and through his companies.

Both defendants vigorously contested the allegations against them.

At the conclusion of the case Mr Justice Ferris said: "I have concluded that the agreement which Sir Elton reached with JREL regarding the costs for touring does not require that those costs should have been paid by JREL."

Classic cars

He concluded in his 138-page judgement that the costs should have been covered by one of Sir Elton's companies.

Following the case Sir Elton announced his intention to appeal the decision.

On Tuesday night, 20 luxury classic cars Sir Elton John were being auctioned, and were expected to raise up to £1m.

The singer said he was selling the cars because he is always out of the country and never has a chance to drive them.

The auction, at Christie's in central London, is the biggest sale of a car collection belonging to a celebrity.