World Aids Day special: Elton John to edit The Independent and <i>i</i>

Guest contributors include Bill Clinton, Elizabeth Taylor, Gary Hume, Jamie Oliver, Stephen Fry and more...

Today Sir Elton John will take on the role as Editor for a special World Aids Day issue of The Independent and its newly launched sister paper, i, to be published tomorrow on December 1st, 2010.

All circulation revenues from these one-off editions will go to the Elton John Aids Foundation. Sir Elton will cover news, features and commentary to highlight the plight of Aids suffers around the world.

The special edition also gives a personal insight into Sir Elton John, with an interview of the star by Jimmy Carr, through to his five ultimate heroes. Highlights of this very special issue include:

- Cover by artist Gary Hume

- Stephen Fry on Bwindi Hospital in Uganda

- Bill Clinton on Aids in an age of austerity

- Sir Elton John’s five ultimate heroes

Elton will be unveiling further treats in his special issue this Wednesday.

Elton John said: “I was thrilled to be invited to guest edit The Independent. I’m really looking forward to spending a day in the editor's chair, and I’m pleased to get the chance to put the subject of Aids at the top of the editorial agenda .The Elton John Aids Foundation is very grateful to Evgeny Lebedev and The Independent for the donation of circulation revenues from that days issue.”

Evgeny Lebedev, chairman of The Independent, said: “We are proud to have Elton editing the paper for a day. His Aids foundation has done a lot of important work around the world which I have witnessed first-hand, and we are pleased to be able to help the cause. I’m sure his paper will make people sit up and take notice.”

Simon Kelner said: “Elton has been planning this issue for some time, and he has quite a few surprises in store. From football to music to politics, and, of course, on the subject of Aids, Elton has much to say, and I’m sure The Independent of December 1 will be diverse, entertaining and impactful.”