Singer Sir Elton John has topped a list of those giving up a generous proportion of their wealth for charitable causes, having donated £24.1 million, equating to 8.92% of his total wealth.

Others from the world of music in the charitable top ten are bands Coldplay at number five, giving 1.82%/ £3.8 million, and One Direction at number seven, giving 0.92% /£1.2 million, Eric Clapton at number eight, giving 0.88%/ £1.4 million, and Dhani Harisson, musical son of Beatle George Harrison, and George’s widow, film producer and author Olivia, who with Dhani gave 0.55%/ £1.1 million for the number ten slot.

Generosity from the world of sport also figured highly with footballer Steven Gerrard at number two giving 3.14%/ £1.3million, footballer Didier Drogba at number six giving 1.57%/ £0.4 million and footballer Rio Ferdinand at number nine giving 0.85%/ £0.4 million. And golfer Rory McIlroy was at number three with 2.63%/ £1 million, with fellow golfer Justin Rose at number four with 2.57%/ £0.6 million