Elton John Elevates Madonna Feud: 'Her Career Is Over'

Elton John called Madonna a "nightmare" and declared her career over in an interview with Australian journalist Molly Meldrum on Sunday Night, the latest sally in an exchange of snippy comments that dates back years.

In the interview, John defended Lady Gaga, the godmother of his son Zachary, against criticism from Madonna. "She's such a nightmare," John said of Madonna. "Her career is over. Her tour has been a disaster and it couldn't happen to a bigger cunt."

John noted Madonna has "been so horrible to Gaga," and bashed her creative choices. "If Madonna had any common sense she would have made a record like Ray Of Light and stayed away from the dance stuff and just been a great pop singer and make great pop records, which she does brilliantly," said John.

He took a poke at Madonna's appearance, too, saying "she looks like a fucking fairground stripper."

Earlier this year, Madonna called Gaga's "Born This Way" an "interesting redo" of her 1989 hit "Express Yourself." Gaga played down rumors of a feud, and Madonna later sang "Born This Way" during rehearsals for her current MDNA tour.

Before that, John advised Madonna to "lip-sync well" during her halftime performance at the Super Bowl in February; and John's husband, David Furnish, called Madonna "embarrassing" after "Masterpiece," from her movie W.E., beat out one of John's tunes to win the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in January.

The MDNA tour has stirred some controversy: last week, she displayed World War II-era footage of the Warsaw Uprising at a tour stop in Warsaw, Poland, in response to protests. She was also booed and called a "slut" by fans last month at an unexpected Paris show following a 45-minute set. France's far-right National Front party announced they will file a lawsuit against Madonna for her use of Nazi imagery at a tour stop in Paris. The pop star has also canceled the Australian leg of her MDNA tour, and was recently sued over an uncleared sample on her 1990 hit "Vogue."

Elton John headlines a Peace Day benefit show in London on September 21st.