Elton John has been told to lose his flamboyant stage costumes for an upcoming concert in Russia – or face protests by anti-gay campaigners.

The singer, who will play in the southern city of Krasnodar next month, has been told by a communist group that his usual outfits are ‘homosexual propaganda’ that could breach local laws where promoting homosexuality is a criminal offence.

The country’s Communists of Russia party has instead suggested that the 66-year-old performer should wear ‘more respectable’ traditional Cossack clothes for his concert.

Local party leader Mikhail Abramyan recommended that Elton don a knee-length kaftan, knee-high leather boots, and a fur hat for the July 14th gig.

He said: ‘It would be more respectable.  We have suggested it to the promoters and we hope he’ll wear it.’, according to Russian news agency Ria Novosti.

A spokesman for Elton John did not wish to comment this afternoon.