Beyonce Knowles thinks Lady Gaga is the best pop star in the world.

The ‘Best Thing I Never Had’ hitmaker – who collaborated with the eccentric star on ‘Telephone’ in 2010 – says as well as being the “most talented” singer on the planet, she is “inspired” by the way Lady Gaga comes up with her own unique style and writes her own songs.

Beyonce said: “I love GaGa. I mean, if she didn’t perform and she wasn’t a singer, just as a human being I love her to death. But on top of it, she is the most talented pop star right now, and I’m so happy for her.

“It’s just really inspiring to see someone who just creates their own destiny and comes up with their own looks and writes their own songs and choreographs and is in control and is not contrived.”

Despite Lady Gaga’s eccentric appearance and performances – which have seen her hatch out of an egg and brought on to the stage in a coffin – Beyonce thinks she would still “tear it down” even if she just had a piano in front of her.

She added to Pride Source: “If you took away every bit of costume and she just sat in front of a piano, she would still tear it down. She’s just that talented, and she deserves it all.

“And I’m just happy to work with her. I love her.”