Elton named 'most iconic glasses wearer'

Rex Features

Elton John has been named Britain's most iconic glasses wearer.

The singer beat competition from John Lennon and Dame Edna Everage to top the poll carried out by Specsavers.

Sir Elton has previously admitted to buying over 20,000 pairs of his trademark spectacles, including novelty glasses with windscreen wipers and flashing lights.

The 61-year-old's love of the accessory even spawned a stage comedy called Elton John's Glasses, in which his football team Watford lost a match when the goalkeeper was blinded by a flash of sunlight reflected on the star's glasses.

In the poll of 2,000 people, 31% revealed that they were influenced by famous people in their choice of frames, with some respondents admitting that they wore glasses to emulate their favourite celebrities even if they did not need them.

"Young people are influenced by images of their favourite stars," said Specsavers founder Dame Mary Perkins.

"Fashions have changed a great deal since we started Specsavers 25 years ago but I still love to see people, especially those in the public eye, wearing their specs with pride."

The top ten most iconic glasses wearers are:

1. Elton John
2. John Lennon
3. Dame Edna Everage
4. Gok Wan
5. Eric Morecambe
6. Alan Carr
7. Timmy Mallett
8. The Queen
9. Johnny Depp
10. Jarvis Cocker