Elton John spoke to Russian pranksters, not Vladimir Putin

Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin, celebrated for his macho bravura, and pop star Elton John, known for his elaborate costumes, ballads and gay activism, coming together in a phone conversation that the singer said had been initiated by the Kremlin.

Believing himself to be addressing Mr Putin through a translator, Sir Elton said: “Tell him that I am extremely honoured that he is calling me and that I am speaking to him”.

“That is not true”.

But a few hours later, Putin’s press secretary denied that any conversation had taken place, leaving Sir Elton and the Russian leader in a peculiar stand-off as the veteran musician’s team continued to insist Putin had called.

He added, “The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues. This day and this conversation were the most wonderful of my life, ‘” Krasnov said.

Sir Elton has accused Putin of saying “stupid things”, such as when he warned gay people travelling to the Winter Olympics to “leave the children in peace”.

He posted to his Instagram account: “Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out and speaking via telephone with me today”.

The deception followed an interview Sir Elton gave to the BBC in which he said he would welcome the chance to meet with the Russian premier.

Shortly thereafter, John took to Instagram to say Putin had reached out to discuss a meeting. “I’d love to sit down and talk to him”.

And yesterday, Elton was elated when he revealed that he had received a call from someone he believed was Putin. Milonov offered on the air to meet with John to tell him how he was “deeply and systematically mistaken”.

Russian Federation has faced worldwide criticism for its laws against homosexuality, including a 2013 bill prosecuting people for providing information about homosexuality to people under 18.

“Wait, was that the phone I heard ringing?”

Elton John is a staunch advocate for gay rights and just last month criticised a Venice mayor who has removed books from schools that feature same-sex families.