Elton John received the first ever Brits Icon Award on Monday night from his old friend Rod Stewart before duetting with him.

The new award, which is being given to artists whose writing, recording and performance have had a lasting impact on the UK, was handed over at the London Palladium at the end of an evening in which he played some of his most famous songs and was interviewed by Dermot O’Leary. The results will be televised later this month by ...