Sir Elton John says he fears for his son Zachary's childhood - because of his world-famous gay father.
He says the youngster, now 19-months-old, will have to battle both homophobia and the impact of his parents' huge global fame.
The 65-year-old star and his civil partner David Furnish, 49, became parents on Christmas Day 2010. Zachary was conceived using a donor egg and born via a surrogate.
The singer has said he is preparing himself for what will be a rough time growing up for his son.
He told the Radio Times that the toddler does not yet have an inkling of just how well-known his father is.
"I want music to be a huge part of his life. I sit him on my lap and he doesn't bang the piano," Sir Elton has said.
"He tries to copy me but he's not formed enough yet to know what I do, thank God.
"When he finds out, he'll look at me as if I'm bonkers. Being the child of someone famous is a huge ball and chain around your ankles.
"It's going to be very difficult."
The Rocket Man singer told the magazine: "At school other children will say, 'You don't have a mummy'.
"We've come a long way, but there's still homophobia and will be until a new generation of parents don't instil it in their children."
He added of his son's upbringing: "It's natural for him. He calls me 'Daddy' and David 'Papa'."
Sir Elton said that he introduced Zachary to the music of Chopin, Mozart and Beethoven - and to Nellie The Elephant - at a very young age, but that his son is more interested in football and cooking.
"I won't push Zachary into anything. So far, he just loves kicking a ball and watching people cook," he said.
