01 January 2024 , 20:48
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Elton John has apologised to Gary Lineker after failing to settle a bet for over TWO months.
The 76-year-old is a big football fan and former chairman of Watford FC - the club he supports. He had been involved in the club since 1976 and was a transformative figure as the Hornets rose up through the leagues under the stewardship of Graham Taylor.
John retains his love for Watford to this day and was forced to pay out on a private bet made between him and Lineker. The latter is a public Leicester City supporter, having played for the club and saved them from extinction.
The two sides came together earlier this season in the Championship and the pair appear to have put money on the result. An image on Lineker’s Instagram story shows a £10 note with a letter from John. A caption reads: “Never let it be said that Elton John doesn’t pay his debts. Leicester 2 Watford 0.”
Alongside the enclosed £10 bill, a note from the former Watford chairman read: “Dear Gary, Sorry this is late! With Christmas we were left a little short! Have a great new year. It was so great to see you! Thank you. Love Elton.”
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Leicester, the current Championship leaders, won 2-0 against Watford back in November. Premier League-winning striker Jamie Vardy climbed off the bench to give the Foxes the lead with a predatory finish.
He doubled his afternoon’s work from the penalty spot after being taken out by Hornets goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann - the Austrian being awarded a red card as a result. John was left honoured by Watford only days later.
Jamie Vardy scored twice vs Watford in November (Getty Images)
Gary Lineker took to his Instagram story with an image of Elton John's letter (GaryLineker / Intagram)Who will win promotion to the Premier League? Share your thoughts in the comments below
After having a stand renamed in his honour at their home stadium Vicarage Road, a road outside of the arena has also been renamed to ‘Yellow Brick Road’ in a nod to John’s 1973 album. Speaking at the time, he said: "As I've said many times before, Watford Football Club has done more for me in my lifetime than I ever did for it.
"Along with the stand being named after me here at Vicarage Road, I feel very specially treated. And, even coming back here on a non-matchday, there's still a buzz for me because this was where I fell in love with football and my club".
Since their defeat at the hands of Leicester, Watford have endured an inconsistent season. They have won four out of their last nine games and most recently drew 3-3 with Plymouth Argyle.
It leaves John’s side sitting tenth in the Championship table and 26 points behind Lineker’s Leicester in the race for promotion to the Premier League.