Sam Fender seen with ‘secret’ girlfriend for first time at star-studded Sir Elton John gig

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Sam Fender was spotted for the first time in public with his recently revealed secret girlfriend, Rosa Collier, after two years together.

There’s no better way to hard launch your partner than at an intimate concert for the legendary Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile.

Despite health issues and saying he was retiring from performing after Glastonbury 2023, the Rocket Man icon, 78, is releasing a new album with Brandi, 43.

In honour of the record’s launch, the pair took to the stage at The London Palladium for a one-off filmed performance: An Evening With Elton John & Brandi Carlile.

The stars were out in force with the likes of Ronnie Wood, Lily James, Zoe Ball, and Little Britain’s Matt Lucas and David Walliams all in attendance.

Taking a break from his mammoth European tour, Sam and Rosa were all smiles as they calmly chatted after Sir Elton and Brandi’s epic performance.

Sam Fender and his girlfriend Rosa Collier went to the star-studded gig (Picture: Metro) Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile put on a fantastic show at the Palladium (Picture: Ben Gibson)

‘Sam is very much in love with Rosa and they have been secretly dating since 2022,’ a friend told The Sun of the two-year romance.

Keeping things low profile, the couple had initially been seated in the stalls but were moved up to a private box seat before the evening kicked off.

Sir Elton and Brandi stunned with a set list that mixed their new tracks such as Swing For The Fences with old classics like Tiny Dancer, Bennie and the Jets and more.

They were joined by all-star band including Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Chad Smith and Josh Klinghoffer, The Hanseroth Twins on guitar and bass, Andrew Ross on saxophone and Graeme Flowers on the trumpet.

Sam and Rosa watched on intently as the legend performed (Picture: Metro) They’ve been dating in secret for two years (Picture: Metro)

Before bringing out the instruments, the dynamic duo — who lived together while writing the album — took part in a Q&A, hosted by Dan Levy.

The Schitt’s Creek icon revealed he was actually named after Sir Elton’s song Daniel, getting a little emotional as he spoke to the legend.

In his classic teasing tone, the Goodbye Yellow Brick Road hitmaker said he doesn’t actually play the song very often as it doesn’t sit well on a set.

Referring to his previous retirement claims, Sir Elton shared: ‘It would be stupid of me not to play tonight.’

A televised Elton John event is one way to hard launch! (Picture: Metro) Sir Elton revealed he had never headlined the venue before (Picture: Ben Gibson)

As the crowd erupted, he added: ‘When I was a young boy, I used to watch Sunday Night Live at the Palladium every week and it was the most exciting program, which you never failed to watch because they had big stars over from America, they had the Beatles on, it was incredible.

‘Bruce Forsyth hosted it. It was a legendary program – and to be honest, I’ve never played at the Palladium.’

His confession received a huge gasp from the audience, almost as large as the singer’s revelation that he owns over 10,000 pairs of sunglasses.

Sir Elton also confessed he struggled to begin recording and writing the album, titled Who Believes in Angels?

Brandi lived next door while they worked on the album non-stop (Picture: Ben Gibson) An Evening With Elton John and Brandi Carlile airs on April 19 (Picture: Ben Gibson)

‘I was getting really wound up. I wasn’t feeling very well,’ he shared. ‘I was shattered after the tour, but I couldn’t walk away from three other people that were committed to this.’

He pulled through and in three weeks the duo created the tracks which they said have the feel of his big 70s hits while being a fresh sound.

The crowd at the Palladium certainly agreed, with standing ovations constant throughout the evening.

An Evening with Elton John and Brandi Carlile will air on Saturday 19th April on ITV1 and ITVX.

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