Aretha Franklin defends lip-synching Beyoncé

Aretha Franklin has defended Beyoncé amid reports she lip-synced the American national anthem at Barack Obama's inauguration on Monday.

The soul singer has voiced her support for the 31-year-old star and said she is "not surprised she pre-recorded" her version of 'The Star Spangled Banner' in Washington DC immediately following the president's swearing-in and speech, because it was too cold at the event to sing live.