Sir Rod Stewart has teased his friend Sir Elton John over his retirement tour

Rod, 73, insists if he ever decides to call time on his career he won't use his retirement to try and create interest.

Asked about Elton's retirement, Rod said: "I did email her and said, 'What? Again, dear?' I didn't hear anything back.

"I have never spoken about retirement. If I do retire, I won't make an announcement, I'll just fade away. I don't think it's a big deal, 'I'm going to retire.' It stinks of selling tickets."

But Cyndi Lauper, who is to embark on a joint US tour with Rod in June, thought it sounded like a good ploy.

In a joint appearance on 'Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen', she said: "That's not a bad idea. We could say, 'For the last time, we're retiring.' Then one more time. 'Well, maybe the second to last time.' "

However, Rod replied: "It's dishonest. It's not rock 'n' roll."

Earlier this month, Elton, 70, had an issue with a fan who put his hands on his piano and kept trying to take a photo of him after he invited a group of audience members to join him on stage as he performed his hit 'Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting' at a Las Vegas show.

Elton left the stage after becoming frustrated with this "disruptive" reveller and Rod completely understands why his pal got annoyed.

The 'Maggie May' hitmaker - who often invites fans to join him on stage during his concerts - said: "I sort of understand it. I don't mind it, I love people coming up on stage, it's a laugh but I can see why he got p***ed off with it.

"I've been up on stage and had people coming up and nearly knock my teeth out, take my trousers off, I love it."