In an interview this morning with Sky News, John claimed that “If Jesus Christ was alive today, I cannot see him – as the Christian person that he was and the great person that he was – saying this could not happen,” before adding “He was all about love, compassion, forgiveness and trying to bring people together. That’s what the church should be about.”

During the interview he also took a swipe at the Church Of England, stating that their refusal to allow gay clergy to marry was “old and stupid”, though he did concede that Pope Francis and Justin Welby were providing “signs of hope” with their more tolerant views.

The singer also revealed that he plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in November. Admitting that he doesn’t “know what good it will do,” Sir Elton noted that “unless you build a bridge, it’s no good putting up a wall and saying ‘I’m not talking to these people.’ The only thing that gets solved is by talking to people.”