John Travolta's attorney has raced to defend his client against gay slurs after the star was photographed kissing another man before flying him to America on board his private jet. Publicists insisted the smooch was harmless and Travolta's wife Kelly Preston was on board the plane which ferried the actor and the family's male nanny home from Ontario, Canada.

And now Travolta's lawyer Martin Singer has rushed to explain the kiss in an effort to end reports Travolta's new cross-dressing role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray have turned the actor gay.

Singer says, "As a manner of customary greeting and saying farewell, Mr. Travolta kisses both women and men whom he considers to be extremely close friends. People who are close to Mr. Travolta are aware of his customary, non-romantic gesture."

But body-language expert Lillian Glass suggests the photo of Travolta kissing the nanny is more than just a friendly gesture. She tells the Globe, "John appears to be really enjoying it. His head is leaning upwards, his lips are puckered, his body is leaning in to the guy... It appears to be quite intimate."

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)