A picture of the singer performing on the white piano wearing black fishnets was posted on Twitter by Lennon's son, Sean.

In an accompanying message, he wrote: "With gaga at mom's house, she's belting on the white piano."

However, the picture and comment triggered a spate of criticism from fans of the Liverpool band.

One fan said: "WHY WOULD YOU LET LADY GAGA PLAY ON JOHN'S PIANO? I'm disappointed.”

Others also claimed that Lady Gaga was not worthy of playing on the instrument, which Lennon gave to his wife Yoko Ono for her birthday.

Sean later removed the picture, but defended the US singer's right to play it.

He wrote: "Pianos meant are to be played. Why is everyone so uptight? What should we do, lock it away in a dusty room? So judgemental."

Lady Gaga is understood to have visited Sean's house during her residency at Madison Square Garden in New York last week.

(by Jason Gregory)