London Mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson is hoping to recruit Amy Winehouse to his campaign after being snubbed by Sir Elton John.

The Tory MP thought he could count on Sir Elton's support - only for the singer to publicly back his Lib Dem rival, Brian Paddick.

Sir Elton recently threw a fundraising party for the former Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner, with a guest list which included Little Britain's David Walliams and TV presenter Dale Winton.

Johnson told London radio station LBC 97.3 FM: "I'm very disappointed by this, by the way, because Elton and David Furnish send us a Christmas card every year.

"I couldn't believe it when he suddenly announced that he was backing ex-commander Paddick. I couldn't believe it. Anyway, there you go. Elton and I are going to have to see what's going on."

Asked who he will turn to instead, the MP for Henley replied: "I'd love to get Amy Winehouse. I think she'd be fantastic."

He joked that Winehouse could record a new version of her hit single Rehab: "'Ken Livingstone - no, no, no.' Something like that."

Mr Livingstone is bidding for a third term as London mayor in the May 1 elections.

He also has some high profile support, with artists Banksy and Antony Gormley donating works for auction to raise money for his campaign.