Elton John 'too shy' to meet his hero

Elton John missed the chance to meet his all-time hero, jazz musician Oscar Peterson, before he died - because he was too starstruck.

John reveals the pianist helped shape his musical style, but he couldn't muster up the courage to introduce himself when they both found themselves in the same Paris, France restaurant, shortly before Peterson's death in 2007, at the age of 82.

Speaking during a guest hosting slot on pal Elvis Costello's music talk show 'Spectacle', John says: "A couple of years ago, I was in a restaurant in Paris and Oscar Peterson came in in a wheelchair with his daughter - and I was too shy to say hello.

"And I've always regretted it, because he died soon after."