Elton John lobbies Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden over EU touring

Sir Elton John has had "very positive" talks with Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden about EU travel for UK musicians, but said visa-free touring is not currently "on the cards", BBC News reported.

Last month, the star signed a letter demanding action to cut red tape and fees for musicians after Brexit.

The matter was "swept under the carpet" before the UK left the EU, he said.

He said it was now his "duty" to try to help improve the post-Brexit conditions for younger stars and crews.

Up-and-coming acts hoping to tour the continent when it is safe to do so will be "up against a brick wall" of fresh "bureaucracy", "paperwork" and added "finances", he said.

"It's much more difficult for young artists to get this together because of all the red tape," Sir Elton told BBC arts editor Will Gompertz. "Every country has these different rules, there's so much procedure to go through.