Elton Says Discard the V-Card

Sir Elton John reveals in a new anthology that he regrets waiting until he was 23 to lose his virginity and suggests that everyone has as much safe sex as possible.

John made the confession in a passage featured in Joseph Galliano's latest publication Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self.

"I made the mistake of not having sex until I was 23! I loved being with another man and felt relieved that I finally knew who I was. I made the mistake of falling in love too soon because I was naive and romantic," wrote Elton, according to the U.K.-based website PinkNews.

In the book, released on Thursday, celebrities wrote letters to their younger selves offering advice and insight they lacked as teenagers.

"My advice to you is to never chase love. It will find you when you least expect it. Have fun, have lots of safe sex and enjoy your sexuality. Be proud of who you are," added the performer and AIDS activist. "I made a lot of mistakes. Stay away from drugs, they're a waste of time. Stand up for every human being's rights. Be loving, kind and strong. Set an example. You're going to have one hell of a life!"

Dear Me: A Letter to My Sixteen-Year-Old Self also features writings from Jackie Collins, Debbie Harry, Liz Smith, Annie Lennox, William Young, and Yoko Ono.