Sir Elton John is not a man you want to get on the wrong side of, but that's exactly what fashion designers Dolce & Gabbana have done with their controversial comments on same-sex families.

The duo, who are gay themselves and were formerly in a long-term relationship, declared themselves only in favour of "traditional" families in a recent Italian magazine interview.

And Sir Elton has taken offence at their attitude toward his and other non-conventional family groups.

He wrote on Instagram: "How dare you refer to my beautiful children as 'synthetic'.

"And shame on you for wagging you judgemental little fingers at IVF - a miracle that has allowed legions of loving people, both straight and gay, to fulfil their dream of having children.

"Your archaic thinking is out of step with the times, just like your fashions.

"I shall never wear Dolce and Gabbana ever again. #BoycottDolceGabbana."

And he has been joined in his outrage by celebs as diverse as Ricky Martin, Courtney Love and Glee creator Ryan Murphy.

These designers horrifying views are never in fashion. Their clothes are as ugly as their hate. #BoycottDolceGabbana

— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) March 15, 2015

.@dolcegabbana ur voices R 2powerfull 2B spreading so much h8 http://t.co/30Oe2hcxNt Wake up,Its 2015 Luv urselves guys #boycottdolcegabbana

— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) March 15, 2015

I just round up all my Dolce & Gabbana items and want to burn them. I'm just beyond words and… https://t.co/p92ZjNeSj4

— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) March 15, 2015

Murphy wrote: "These designers horrifying views are never in fashion. Their clothes are as ugly as their hate. #BoycottDolceGabbana"

While Martin voiced his outrage in txt spk: "@dolcegabbana ur voices R 2powerfull 2B spreading so much h8 http://bit.ly/1CiY63B Wake up,Its 2015 Luv urselves guys #boycottdolcegabbana"

Meanwhile Stefano Gabbana his issued a statement in the wake of the outrage caused by their comments.

He said: "It was never our intention to judge other people's choices. We do believe in freedom and love."

The designer has since posted on Instagram, which translates to: "#boycottdolcegabbanaxi opinions intolerance is different !!!I condemn you because they do not think like me !!! ??Madness !!!It is as if I boicottassi him because he had two sons in vitro !!I'm not an idiot !!!Tolerance."