Sir Elton John is touring Europe and North America in 2022

Designed by MurWalls founder, Marc Silver, and painted by project artist, Mr Meana, the mural has gone up over the past few days using a cherry picker to get to the location.

"It was tricky to get to but well worth the effort," Mr Silver said.

The street art company uses a team of artists, who, since 2019, have completed several high-profile murals including an image of Jordan Henderson lifting Liverpool's Premiership trophy in 2020.

In Watford, the company produced an image of Graham Taylor on the side of a house and a mural adorning the subway leading to Vicarage Road Stadium.

Mr Silver said it originally had a request from a resident who wanted Sir Elton painted on the side of their house, but the home was in a conservation area and the planning permission process would have taken too long.

"We consulted the club and it came up with the perfect place so it was a blessing in disguise," he said.

"It's a celebration of Elton's love for the football club and coming back to play there."

Mr Silver said the project has been fully supported by both Watford FC and Sir Elton's team who have been consulted throughout.

Mark Collins, who lives near the stadium, said: "It's not my first choice of mural, yet given where it is, overlooking the stadium, and his known fondness of the club, it makes sense."

Watford FC said it was "delighted" to have supported this "truly spectacular tribute" as "excitement builds ahead of his two very special concerts at Vicarage Road".

Chairman and chief executive officer, Scott Duxbury, said: "I'm aware there are further Elton tributes planned within the town, so we're grateful to be able to proudly display this stunning mural on our Sir Elton John Stand."

Last year, when he announced the Watford shows as part of his farewell tour, Sir Elton said he and the club had "been on quite the journey together".

"I simply had to play Vicarage Road a final time," he said.

The shows take place on 3 and 4 July.