Elton John and Eminem perform at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center, Los Angeles, Ca. 2/21/01. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Legendary singer Sir Elton John has claimed Eminem was never homophobic.

The Bennie and the Jets singer, who celebrates his 70th birthday this weekend, was speaking in a special Apple’s Beats 1 show.

The singer said that he is “always a supporter of the people that are getting trashed” and had never been offended by Eminem’s lyrics.

The two performers have been friends for some years, with Sir Elton visiting Eminem during his recovery from drugs.

He told interviewer Zane Lowe: “For me Eminem was never homophobic.

“I listened to the whole of the Marshall Mathers album when I drove to a show in South Hampton and I was floored by it.

“And I thought how could anyone think this is… he’s just writing about the way things are.”

Eminem has previously recorded a transphobic rap attacking Caitlyn Jenner.

Sir Elton added: “Not how he thinks but the way things are. And the same with Axl.

“Never in a million years did I think he was homophobic.

“So I did things. I did the MTV Music Awards with him and the Guns N’ Roses and I did the Grammys with Marshall and I became very big friends with Marshall.

“I’ll fight for anyone who is misunderstood and misrepresented by the idiots out there.”

In 2010, Eminem did come out in support of same-sex marriage, surprising many.

He said at the time: “I think that everyone should have the chance to be equally miserable, if they want.”

One person he does think is homophobic is Vladimir Putin, who he was tricked into thinking had rung him.

The call turned out to be a fake, however he is still hopeful the Russian leader will give him a call, and has said he’d gladly give the leader a “kiss”.

Sir Elton is one of the biggest stars in Russia, despite it being among the most homophobic and conservative societies in the world.