Sir Elton John has been free with his opinions of late, whether on the joys of touring or the woes of fellow stars, but his latest outburst about the singer George Michael appears to have backfired.

Sir Elton claimed in a magazine interview last month that the former Wham! star was "in a strange place" and allowing the "deep-rooted unhappiness in his life" to come out in his music.

"All I would say to George is: you should get out more," advised Sir Elton.

Now George Michael has counter-attacked with a blunt open letter published in the same magazine, Heat.

Claiming to wish to put the record straight, he points out that Sir Elton is a generation older than him, has never been a close friend, and knows nothing more about his private life than the lurid rumours on the so-called gay grapevine.

"I will always be grateful to Elton for the inspiration that he gave me as a child," 41-year-old George Michael writes silkily, noting that the Rocket Man's songs were "still dear to me 30 years on".

But he makes plain that the two had never been friends.

"Those really close to me, straight or gay, would tell you that I am not secretive at all in terms of my sexuality," he continues.

"In fact the phrase 'too much information' comes to mind occasionally, but with Elton it was never like that. Sadly, I was always aware that Elton's circle of friends was the busiest rumour mill in town, and that respect for my privacy was not exactly guaranteed.

"So, we never became genuinely close, which is very sad. And to this day, most of what Elton thinks he knows about my life is pretty much limited to the gossip he hears on what you would call the 'gay grapevine' which, as you can imagine, is lovely stuff indeed.

"Other than that, he knows that I don't like to tour, that I smoke too much pot, and that my albums still have a habit of going to number one. In other words, he knows as much as most of my fans do."

The remark about albums going to No 1 may be a particularly sore point. Sir Elton's latest offering, Peachtree Road, debuted at a disappointing number 21 while George Michael's album Patience went straight in at No 1.

He added that Sir Elton "seems to have forgotten me calling him a few months back to tell him that my American royalties from Patience would be donated entirely to the Elton John Aids Foundation".

Sir Elton was a friend of Diana, Princess of Wales, and was knighted after performing his hit Candle in the Wind at her funeral.

He also told the magazine interviewer that he was upset that George Michael no longer performed live and was happier staying at home.

Michael said that he did not want his fans to be misled. "Elton John knows very little about George Michael, and that's a fact. Contrary to the public's impression, we have spoken rarely in the last 10 years, and what would probably surprise most people is that we have never discussed my private life. Ever.

"What he doesn't know is that I have rarely been as happy and confident as I am today, thanks to my partner Kenny and the continued support of my fans.

"If I stay at home too much, if anything it is because I am too contented right now. I have travelled the world many times and, at 41, I think I have earned the right to a quiet life, which I truly love, and maybe Elton just can't relate to that.

"After all, he tours incessantly, he is a great artist and loves to play live. We are totally different in that sense."

In a further twist of the knife, Michael adds: "He makes millions playing those old classics day in and day out, whereas my drive and passion is still about the future, and the songs I have yet to write for the public."

Sir Elton made his comments last month in the same interview which saw him discuss David and Victoria Beckham's marriage, claiming he warned them not to court too much publicity as over-exposure would backfire on them. He also accused Madonna of lip-synching her way through her latest concert tour.

Weeks earlier he had to apologise after dramatically informing a pack of Taiwanese press photographers that they were "Rude, vile pigs!" during a fracas at the airport.

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