Soul legend Stevie Wonder has been presented with the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song by US president Barack Obama.

Wonder collected the prize for his song 'Sketches Of A Life' during a ceremony at The White House in Washington DC.

President Obama, who counts Wonder as one of his heroes, praised the singer – and joked that his wife, Michelle, might not have married him had he not been a fan.

"I think it's fair to say that had I not been a Stevie Wonder fan, Michelle might not have dated me, we might not have married," President Obama said.

"The fact that we agreed on Stevie was part of the essence of our courtship."

President Obama also paid tribute to Wonder's impact on his childhood and the singer's unique American style.

Wonder became only the second person to receive the honour after Paul Simon collected the prize in 2007.

The musician, who is self-taught on piano and various other instruments, first appeared in front of US television audiences at the age of 12.

(by Jason Gregory)