Elton John has stated that he believes that Jesus would have approved of gay marriage.

He was speaking during an interview where he also said that he is in the process of arranging a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to discus gay rights.

"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.

"He was all about love, compassion, forgiveness and trying to bring people together. That's what the church should be about."

He went on to say that he wasn't sure how effective talking with Putin would be.

"I don't know what good it will do," he said.

"But 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."