Sir Elton John has joked there's "not much" left of him after his various health issues.

The 77-year-old music legend - who retired from touring last summer after finishing his 'Farewell Yellow Brick Road' world tour - referenced the various organs and other body parts he's had removed as he thanked everyone for their support over the years.

Speaking after a screening of 'Elton John: Never Too Late' at New York Film Festival, he said: "To be honest with you, there's not much of me left.

"I don't have tonsils, adenoids or an appendix. I don't have a prostate. I don't have a right hip or a left knee or a right knee.

"In fact, the only thing left to me is my left hip. But I’m still here. And I can't thank you [enough], you’re the people that made me."

The 'Tiny Dancer' hitmaker also paid tribute to his husband David Furnish and their sons Zachary and Elijah for making him "the happiest man in the world".

He told the audience that he's "never felt happiness" like he's feeling now, while he explained his decision to step back from live on the road.

He added: "As you know, I decided to stop touring because I'm 77 years of age, I've done all there is to do, to play. I've succeeded. I've been there and I've done it.

"I've still got to make room because I'm still going to have music in my life.

"But the most important thing in my life are David, Zachary and Elijah, and my family and my friends. I found utopia and I'm so thrilled."

Elton has been candid about his health issues and family life over the years, and last month he revealed he had "limited vision" in one of his eyes after an infection.

He wrote on Instagram: "Over the summer, I’ve been dealing with a severe eye infection that has unfortunately left me with only limited vision in one eye.

“I am healing, but it’s an extremely slow process and it will take some time before sight returns to the impacted eye.

“I am so grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses and my family, who have taken such good care of me over the last several weeks.

“I have been quietly spending the summer recuperating at home, and am feeling positive about the progress I have made in my healing and recovery thus far.”