Sir Elton smitten by American Beauty

I was in Los Angeles and I think we saw an advert for Varla Jean Merman, or possibly a flyer. I just thought the name was very funny. I think she advertised herself as the bastard child of Ernest Borgnine and Ethel Merman. We roared with laughter. We had a night off so we said, "Come on, let's go and see this Varla Jean Merman," and we went to the Gay And Lesbian Theatre in Los Angeles and saw her and we had the best time. It was just a fabulous show, so much fun, she's great.

Varla Jean is the creation of Jeffrey Roberson. In the show he's singing, doing comedy, it's just him being funny for an hour and a half. It's different from other drag acts. It's more kind of musical, with a piano player and everything like that. This is not lipsyncing, this is Jeffrey's real voice. It's great live cabaret - in your face, funny, rude, everything that you want to go and see.

He's very tall, must be six foot two at least, and he's enormous, kind of burly, but not fat at all. And so much fun to be around. We invited him to an Aids Foundation Oscar party and he came and trod on everyone's dresses, which was great.

He's playing at a great little place called the Soho Theatre And Writers' Centre, and I'm hoping I'll get to see him then. Last time someone came over who was so great was Lipsynca. This is another conquest from America who everyone should check out.

Mon 24 Sep is a special charity performance (invited audience only) in aid of Elton John's Aids Foundation.