John Reid

Scottish business executive, in control of an empire worth 40 million pounds and managing the greatest entertainment phenomenon of the latter 20th century, Elton John. By the turn of the century, Reid had been John's friend, lover, guru and manager for 30 years.

The son of a mill worker, Reid had one older brother. When he was age 10 to 12, they lived in New Zealand then returned home where he worked as a teen in a menswear shop. He was known as being aggressive, pugnacious and ambitious. Reid was a good student and joined the amateur dramatic company in school.

At 17, he took a job with EMI Records, cut his hair short and learned to wear smart suits with poise and savvy. Within two years, at 19, Reid took over the position of Motown's rep in London, a plum of a job. Socially, he played escort to his friend Barbara Windsor, a film star 20 years older than he.

In 1970, he met budding rock star Elton John, three years older and the two took a flat together. As Elton began his phenomenal rise in the '70s, Reid choreographed his appointments and performances and was the one steady focus throughout Elton's finances and romances. Though they did not continue living together, they maintained their business and personal closeness.

In 2005 and 2006, Reid was a judge on the Australian version of The X Factor alongside Mark Holden and Kate Ceberano, then he got replaced by Ronan Keating.

In 1998, Reid sold his art collection, estimated to have been worth £2 million.