Tickets for Elton John Waterstones book signing sell out in 10 seconds

Tickets for Elton John's book signing at Waterstones Piccadilly sold out in less than 10 seconds when they went on sale yesterday.

The multiple Grammy-winning international singer-songwriter will be signing copies of his autobiography Me (Pan Macmillan) at the London flagship on Wednesday 20th November from midday. 

John's publishers said 300 tickets, which cost £28, to the event sold out in less than 10 seconds, with fans reporting the event website crashed due to demand. The Bookseller understands the website did not crash. 

A lengthy set of terms and conditions told ticket holders there will be no personal photo or video opportunities at the event and John will not be dedicating copies of Me or signing any other items. Ticket holders, who have not been told what time the event ends, will be asked to leave cameras and mobile phones in a bag-drop area with the queue formed on a first come, first served basis. 

The small print for the signing on Eventbrite adds: "The exact time at which the event ends will be determined by the promoters on the day. To avoid disappointment, we strongly advise you not to arrive any later than the signing start time. Late arrivals may not have the opportunity to meet Sir Elton John."

The autobiography was released globally by Pan Macmillan on 15th October, including sister company Henry Holt in the US, after winning an eight-publisher auction. After four weeks on sale Me has sold 74,351 copies through TCM, and has been backed by one of the biggest trade marketing campaigns the publisher has ever mounted.