Madonna and Elton John end 23-year feud: 'We've finally buried the hatchet!'

On Monday (7 April), Madonna posted on social media saying, she has 'finally buried the hatchet' with Sir Elton John after a 23-year public feud.

The pair's strained relationship dates back to 2002 when John was quoted by CBS News as describing her theme to Die Another Day as 'the worst Bond tune ever'.

Elton John also went on to say in an interview, “Madonna, best live act? Fuck off” on stage at the Q Awards in 2004, and accused her of lip-syncing. In another, separate interview he compared the singer to a 'fairground stripper'.

"I think everyone who lip-syncs on stage in public when you pay, like, 75 quid to see them should be shot," Elton said at the time.

A decade later, Madonna beat out Elton John at the 2012 Golden Globes in the Best Original Song category with his husband David Furnish saying the ceremony's awards had 'nothing to do with merit'.

The pair have traded several remarks since their moment of reconciliation which happened after Madonna watched the pianist and singer perform live with Brandi Carlile on Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Upon learning Elton was going to be on SNL, Madonna took it upon herself to attend the show, go backstage, and make peach with Elton John.

Madonna says that knowing someone she admired made public remarks about her hurt her for many years, but that seeing Elton John perform at SNL brought back memories, and she remembered how he helped her understand the 'transformative power of music'.

Madonna says that when Elton John saw her backstage, he mouthed to her, "Forgive me."

"The wall between us fell down. Forgiveness is a powerful tool. Within minutes. We were hugging. Then he told me he had written a song for me and he wanted to collaborate. It was like everything came full circle!!" Madonna said, ending with a reference to Elton's 'Your Song'.

In response to Madonna, Elton John commented on Madonna's Instagram post, thanking her for coming to see him on SNL and for forgiving his 'big mouth'.

"I'm not proud of what I said. Particularly when I think about all the groundbreaking work you have done as an artist — paving the way for an entire generation of female artists to succeed and be true to themselves," Elton said, also referencing Madonna's efforts for people with HIV/AIDS.

"I’m grateful we can move forward. I’m increasingly distressed by all the divisiveness in our world at the moment," Elton John added.

"By pulling together, I'm hopeful that we can make great things happen for those who really need support. And have a lot of fun doing it!!"