Sir Elton John put on an incredible performance as he appeared on Saturday Night Live for the first time in over a decade amid his ongoing health battle. 

The pop legend, 78, appeared as the musical guest alongside Brandi Carlile, 43, and sang their newly released single Little Richard’s Bibl from their collaborative album, Who Believes in Angels?

Later in the show, which was this week hosted by actor Jack Black, the pair returned to the Studio 8H stage to perform the title track of their latest LP.

During the performance Elton, who made his first appearance on the show 43 years ago, proved he is still as fantastic as ever as he belted out the song and played the piano flawlessly. 

The singer cut a stylish figure wearing a white shacket with matching trousers and his trademark square framed glasses, this time an eye catching green pair. 

In addition to his show-stopping performance with Brandi and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Elton showed why he’s still ‘a little bit funny’ by taking part in some jokes with Jack, who was hosting while promoting his new Minecraft movie.

Sir Elton John put on an incredible performance as he appeared on Saturday Night Live for the first time in over a decade amid health battle

The pop legend, 78, appeared as the musical guest alongside Brandi Carlile, 43, and sang their newly released single Little Richard’s Bibl from their collaborative album, Who Believes in Angels?

Fans quickly took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to say Elton sounded ‘incredible’ and had ‘crushed’ the performance.

They wrote: ‘Elton John is CRUSHING IT on Saturday Night Live right now; Great show tonight! Really happy to see Elton John on stage!;

‘Loved Elton John and Brandi Carlile tonight they sounded so incredible together!;

‘Sir Elton John still rocking on that piano. So glad I had the opportunity to see him perform live in college. Legend undersells it;

‘Elton and Brandi on SNL. Wow. That sounded like Elton of old…as in crocodile rock old. Well done!!!; Elton John was cooking! Geesh!’

Elton’s SNL appearance marked his first time back on the late night comedy sketch show in over a decade after first appearing on the show as the musical guest in April 1982. 

He last appeared on the show in April 2011 when he served as both host and musical guest. 

Elton’s appearance comes after he revealed he ‘can’t read, watch TV or see his boys play sports’ as he opened up on his ‘distressing’ battle with blindness on Friday.

Later in the show, which was this week hosted by actor Jack Black, the pair returned to the Studio 8H stage to perform the title track of their latest LP

During the performance Elton, who made his first appearance on the show 43 years ago, proved he is still as fantastic as ever as he belted out the song and played the piano flawlessly

Fans quickly took to X – formerly known as Twitter – to say Elton sounded ‘incredible’ and had ‘crushed’ the performance

Elton’s SNL appearance marked his first time back on the late night comedy sketch show in over a decade after first appearing on the show as the musical guest in April 1982

He last appeared on the show in April 2011 when he served as both host and musical guest

The legendary musician contracted a severe eye infection in July which left him blind in his right eye, with ‘limited vision’ in his left. 

Remaining positive despite his health woes, Elton told The Times: ‘I can see you, but I can’t see TV, I can’t read. I can’t see my boys playing rugby and soccer, and it has been a very stressful time because I’m used to soaking it all up.

‘It’s distressing. You get emotional, but you have to get used to it because I’m lucky to have the life I have.’

He added: ‘I still have my wonderful family, and I can still see something out of here [left eye] So you say to yourself, just get on with it.’ 

Elton lives with his husband David Furnish, 62, and their sons, Zachary, 14, and Elijah, 12, who he joked in the interview have now swapped Eego and Star Wars toys for an ‘all-consuming love of rap’.

Despite being unable to experience some of his most glitzy events over the last few months, including the gala performance of the musical The Devil Wears Prada, the star has remained positive. 

In an interview with The Guardian in February, Sir Elton confessed that he now has a newfound respect for sight-impaired people and understands how lucky he is.

He told the publication: ‘I’m an optimist permanently, I’ve got bad eyesight at the moment.

‘There have been days I’ve been miserable, but then I think about how lucky I am, I’ve got a new respect for sight-impaired people, but I’ve got a great life and hopefully my sight will improve.

‘I’ve beaten addiction, health issues and can pick myself up, dust myself off’.