Carrie Underwood has spoken out in favour of gay marriage, declaring that ‘we should all have the right to love publicly the people we want to love.’

The winner of the fourth season of American Idol, who has frequently discussed her faith and religion in her songs, revealed her liberal attitude to same-sex marriage in a frank interview with The Independent.

She said: "As a married person myself, I don't know what it's like to be told I can't marry somebody I love, and want to marry.

“I can't imagine how that must feel. I definitely think we should all have the right to love, and love publicly, the people that we want to love."

The 29-year-old, whose new album, ‘Blown Away,’ knocked Adele’s 21 off the top of the Billboard charts, also claimed that the non-denominational congregation she belongs to is just as open to the idea:

"Our church is gay friendly. Above all, God wanted us to love others. It's not about setting rules, or [saying] 'everyone has to be like me'.

“No. We're all different. That's what makes us special. We have to love each other and get on with each other. It's not up to me to judge anybody."