Two Russians say they were behind a call to Elton John where they pretended to be Vladimir Putin ringing to discuss gay rights.
Pranksters Vovan and Lexus claim they will air the conversation on Russian television on Wednesday night.
Lexus, real name Alexei Stolyarov, told Sky News that Sir Elton had described the call as the "most wonderful call he'd ever received" and that it was a "privilege" to speak to Mr Putin.
"My friend Vladimir was the Russian president. I was like the translator – his press secretary," said Stolyarov
"Elton told that he always loved Russia … he thinks only good about Russia and he wants to meet with the Russian president – not like (politicians) but like humans."
The call is said to have lasted 11 minutes.
Sir Elton posted on Instagram on Monday thanking the Russian president for "reaching out" to him and said he looked forward to a face-to-face meeting "to discuss LGBT equality".
The Russian leader's spokesman denied the call had taken place, but said Mr Putin could still respond positively to Sir Elton's offer.
"The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues," said Dmitry Peskov.
Speaking on Wednesday - after receiving an apology from the pranksters who impersonated him - Mr Peskov said the pair should instead say sorry to Sir Elton.
"I would recommend to apologise (to) Elton John, he is a respected and favoured singer here. It was not good to trick him like that."
The singer first raised the prospect of meeting Mr Putin last week, during a visit to Ukraine.
The singer met the country's leader, Petro Poroshenko, to lobby him about lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) rights.
Sir Elton criticised Mr Putin's "ridiculous" stance on gay rights and accused him of saying "stupid things" about gay people's attitude to children.
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