He's known for being outspoken, and this time it's the likes of Cheryl Cole and Kim Kardashian who Elton John has in his sights.

Speaking in the latest issue of The Word Magazine, Elton has launched into a four-letter tirade aimed at a string of reality stars and pop acts. Cole and Kardashian came in for particular criticism, along with pop acts such as The Saturdays and Westlife.

"Frankly, they all sound the same," he said. "It's hard to tell Girls Aloud from The Saturdays. And then there's Cheryl Cole... it's all c**p. British pop music like that is the worst, it's just awful, it could have been made by anybody."

But it wasn't just pop acts who received a tongue-lashing from the chart-topper, who also expressed his dislike of reality stars. "Who the f*** is Kim Kardashian?" he said. "Some stupid old tart from somewhere. Reality has killed talent."

Elton went on to speak out against lip-synchers, saying that they "should be shot" - before launching into a tirade against boy bands. "Go and see Take That or Westlife," he said, "and how much of that is live?"

"I know Gary Barlow can sing live, that solves that one. I think they genuinely do sing their stuff, but 99 per cent of the other f****** Herberts out there can't sing a note. The records I love are all about musicianship," he added, "when you put a bunch of musicians in a room together there's human soul, there's magic in there. That's not happening now."

He also questioned the ability of X Factor finalists. "Can any of them cut the mustard?" Elton asked. Elton's outspokenness comes just days after he was forced to apologise on Radio 2 for swearing on air. He made the blooper during an interview with Chris Evans while the pair were discussing fellow musician Jools Holland.

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