Audio released of Russian pranksters duping Sir Elton John into thinking he was talking to Vladimir Putin

A recording of Sir Elton John's call with two Russian pranksters who claimed to be Vladimir Putin has been released.

Audio recording of the phone call courtesy of EBU

The singer is heard saying he is "extremely honoured" that Putin is calling him and wants to do "anything he can" to help gay rights in Russia.

He goes on to suggest a meeting with the Russian President would be a "miracle" as he is "one of the most influential people in the world."

After the conversation, Sir Elton posted a snap of Putin on his Instagram page with the caption: "Thank-you to President Vladimir Putin for reaching out to me today.

"I look forward to meeting with you face-to-face to discuss LGBT equality in Russia."

The Kremlin was quick to deny any phone call had taken place although it said that the Russian premier would be willing to meet Sir Elton to talk about the issue.

Mr Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian news agencies later that the president had not spoken with Sir Elton.

"Putin did not have a conversation with Elton John, and, what's more, we have not received any requests from him for a meeting.

"The president has always been open to discuss human rights issues. The president, I'm sure, will be ready to meet with Elton John, too, if there is such a request."

Pranksters Vladimir Krasnov and Alexei Stolyarov - better known as Vova and Lexus in Russia- claimed responsibility for the call and said it was easy to get in touch with Sir Elton.

The pair said it seemed as though he was "waiting for that call, so immediately believed in the reality" of the conversation.

They claim Sir Elton said afterwards the 11-minute chat had "made his day" and was one of the "most wonderful and beautiful conversations" of his life.

Sir Elton has criticised the Russian president's "ridiculous" stance on gay rights.

He has also accused Mr Putin of saying "stupid things" in reference to his warning to gay people travelling to the Winter Olympics to "leave the children in peace".

Russia also passed a law banning homosexual "propaganda" among children in June 2013, sparking an international outcry.