ARETHA FRANKLIN - ARETHA FRANKLIN CRITICISES BEYONCE FOR GRAMMY REMARKS

Aretha Franklin has criticised Beyonce for referring to Tina Turner as "the queen" during a performance at the Grammy Awards.

Beyonce performed a duet with Turner at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday.

In an introduction, the former Destiny's Child singer said: "There is one legend who has the essence of all those things: the glamour, the soul, the passion, the strength, the talent.

"Ladies and gentlemen, stand on your feet and give it up for the queen."

Franklin, who is commonly referred to as 'Queen of Soul', took offence to the remarks and issued a statement yesterday.

In it, Franklin refers to Beyonce's remarks as a "cheap shot for controversy".

"I am not sure of whose toes I may have stepped on or whose ego I may have bruised between the Grammy writers and Beyonce, however I dismissed it as a cheap shot for controversy," the statement said.

Tina Turner has in the past been referred to as the 'Queen of Rock'n'Roll'.

Beyonce's father Mathew Knowles in response issued his own statement saying: "Beyonce referred to Tina as a 'queen'. Not queen of gospel, queen of soul, queen of blues, Queen of England.

"I consider my wife a queen and sometimes call her that. Does Aretha have a problem with that?" Mr Knowles added.

Britain's Amy Winehouse was one of the major winners at this year's ceremony, picking up five awards.