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Elton John is strongly tipped to complete a rollercoaster year of tragedy and acclaim with a knighthood in Wednesday's New Year…

Elton John is strongly tipped to complete a rollercoaster year of tragedy and acclaim with a knighthood in Wednesday's New Year's honours. His version of Candle In The Wind this year became the unofficial national anthem of a grieving Britain, raising £20 million for the Princess Diana Memorial Fund and becoming the world's biggest-selling single of all time.

A knighthood would also recognise his work with the Elton John Aids Foundation, which has raised more than £9 million for people stricken by the HIV virus since the foundation started work in 1993.

Billionaire philanthropist J. Paul Getty II is set to become Sir J. Paul Getty after taking British citizenship last week. Getty (65) was made an honorary KBE - the highest award Queen Elizabeth can make to foreign nationals - in 1986, in recognition of his huge financial support for British institutions including the National Gallery and British Film Institute.

Transformation of the honorary title into a full knighthood is not automatic, but sources at Buckingham Palace sources said it is essentially "a formality". Getty - the son of John Paul Getty, once the world's richest man - is one of Britain's greatest benefactors, and has lived in Britain for 25 years, but he now faces a hugely increased tax bill after his change of nationality.

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EastEnders star Nadia Sawalha will not be put under pressure to return to her role in the TV soap after the death of her estranged husband, according to a BBC source. The actor and her family pulled out of a London stage show at the weekend after learning that her estranged husband, record producer Justin Mildwater (31) had been found hanged. Nadia, who plays conniving gangster Annie Palmer, will be seen in the BBC soap until February as filming schedules run five to six weeks in advance.

She was due to have starred at the Young Vic on Saturday night with her sister Julia, who plays Saffron in Absolutely Fabulous, and their father Nadim, who stars as Dr Shaaban in the BBC drama series Dangerfield.