When Rupert Everett came out of the closet more than 20 years ago, he was heralded as a champion of gay rights. Now he has caused upset by ridiculing the idea of homosexual parents.
"I can't think of anything worse than being brought up by two gay dads," the actor said during an interview.
Gay rights campaigners have accused Everett of echoing the views of homophobes who criticise same-sex marriage.
The 53-year-old has previously attacked the idea of gays having babies through a surrogate as "egocentric and vain" in an online interview but this is his first attack on the ability of homosexuals to be good parents.
There was no immediate reaction from Elton and his partner.
