The pop star has won the approval of Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian and Judas Priest frontman Rob Halford in the past, and she recently revealed how she woke up at 5am to buy Maiden's new album The Book Of Souls.

And in an earlier interview, Gaga said she doesn't want to be the next Madonna, as she'd rather be the next Iron Maiden. Now the Maiden vocalist has returned the compliment. He tells Corus Radio: "I think she's great, and I agree with her - she's not the next Madonna. She's way better than that.