Sir Elton John launched into a rant about fashion and quipped about migrants when he presented a gong at the GQ Men of the Year Awards.

The singer was on stage to present a fashion trophy to Alessandro Michele, the Italian designer who was appointed creative director of Gucci in January last year.

Sir Elton made a joke about the glitzy awards taking place in Tate Modern’s cavernous Turbine Hall instead of the Royal Opera House of previous years, comparing the venue to Calais.

“What a lovely intimate setting this is,” he said. “Next year, Calais. I can see it … Migrant of the Year.”

The Rocket Man singer told the A-list audience: “When Tom Ford left Gucci it all went very pear-shaped, a bit like myself.

“You could go in there and fire a cannon through Gucci because the clothes were so f****** awful.”

Sir Elton complained that “it became another staid old label” but added that Michele had injected “energy … colour” and “passion back into Gucci”.

“Now you have to fight your way into Gucci,” he said.

Praising the quality of the designer label, he added: “Fashion needs it because it’s as dull as f****** dishwater at the moment.”

He added: “It gives me great pleasure to introduce someone who’s actually got some talent in fashion – Alessandro Michele.”