David Furnish at the Screening of the film 'X Men-3: The Last Stand'. Cannes Film Festival 2006, Cannes, France - 22.5.06

John launched a verbal attack at the press at the festival, saying all photographers "should be shot" during an award presentation.

His barbed comments came after bustling snappers interrupted him as he introduced KEVIN ZEGERS, the star of Furnish's new movie - which was being previewed at Cannes.

But film producer Furnish insists his life partner wasn't just raging at the rude photographers - he was genuinely upset.

He says, "He is an artist and he hates disrespect towards artistry; he finds it very offensive... He came offstage and was really, genuinely offended."