Sir Elton John has returned to the stage more than a year after ending his farewell tour with a surprise performance with Dua Lipa.

The musicians teamed up at London's Royal Albert Hall on Thursday to perform their hit duet Cold Heart, which brings together four of Sir Elton's old hits, including Sacrifice and Rocket Man.

The crowd jumped to their feet when Sir Elton was unveiled towards the end of the concert – sitting in a chair but resplendent in a burgundy suit.

The 77-year-old, who recently announced that he was recovering from a serious eye infection that affected his vision, delivered some impressively tuneful vocals as he sang along with Dua and even led the audience in the final chorus.

“Well, how about this?” Dua smiled as the song ended.

It was only the second time that the musicians performed their chart-topping single live together.

Their last duet took place almost two years ago at Sir Elton's final US concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

Thursday's surprise performance came near the end of a one-off concert in which Dua Lipa performed her hits backed by a 53-piece orchestra and a 14-piece choir.

The event, which was filmed for television, focused largely on the star's latest album, Radical Optimism, with the setlist including hits such as Houdini, Training Season and Illusion.

She also performed her Barbie single “Dance the Night” live for the first time, accompanied by a group of dancers who performed the choreography from Greta Gerwig's film.

“What a dream it is to be in this room,” she told the audience, wearing a Jessica Rabbit-style figure-hugging Jean Paul Gaultier dress.

“There were so many remarkable people on that stage, like Winston Churchill, Charles De Gaulle and Einstein. But I’m almost 99% sure they didn’t have a dress as beautiful as this one.”

The Royal Albert Hall floor was transformed into a swirling catwalk for the evening, and Dua weaved her way through the orchestra as she performed tunes like “Levitating,” “Pretty Please” and early single “Be The One.” , which changed my life and allowed me). to be here on stage tonight”).

The Heritage Orchestra, led by Ben Foster, added new touches to their back catalogue, with funky brass backing Pretty Please and Maria taking on a playful mariachi vibe.

A dramatic, string-drenched cover of Cleo Sol's single “Sunshine” also bolstered rumors that Dua could record the next Bond theme.

Without the need for choreography, the show emphasized the star's live vocals – which were clear and powerful, even if the orchestra sometimes threatened to drown her out.

After playing for more than an hour, she slipped into a black Chanel ball gown for the encore – and confetti rained from the ceiling as she belted out a Studio 54-inspired version of “Don't Start Now.”

The concert was the star's only UK show of 2024, apart from her headlining performance at Glastonbury.

She will now fly to Asia to begin her Radical Optimism world tour, which will arrive in the UK for a series of stadium dates next summer.

• End of an era
• Houdini
• Floating
• Mary
• French exit
• Sunshine (Cleo Sol cover)
• Training season
• These walls
• What are you doing?
• Love again
• Very please
• illusion
• Fall forever
• Everything for love
• I'm happy for you

Encore

• Cold Heart (with Elton John)
• Be the one
• Dance the night away
• Don't start now