Please don't squeeze the Neil Patrick Harris.

During a Race to Erase MS charity gala in L.A. this weekend, Elton John's husband David Furnish gave the "Doogie Howser" star a real helping hand ... by copping a sneaky feel of his butt.

As Sir Elton, Neil Patrick and his partner David Burtka posed for pics in a friendly embrace, Furnish tried to get away with pulling the old underhanded ass grab on NPH.

The truth always comes out in the end.

Might be a good time to check for airborne swine ... because Elton John's husband has finally stopped TRASHING Madonna ... and has begun to sing her praises. 

Of course, David Furnish fired some nasty shots at Madge back in January she beat out Elton for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes -- calling the singer desperate and narcissistic

But on his way out of the Abbey in West Hollywood last night, Furnish insisted there's no more bad blood between the two ... telling the paps, "I think she's a great artist ... she's an inspiration to all of us."

When pressed about the sincerity of his comments -- Furnish said, "Seriously ... I love her."

Suuuuuure.

Elton John's hubby David Furnish -- the guy who BLASTED Madonna after the Golden Globes -- tells TMZ ... there's NO WAY IN HELL he'll watch her Super Bowl halftime show.

It seems like another OBVIOUS diss aimed at the Material Girl ... but Furnish, who was leaving Red O restaurant in L.A., insists it's nothing personal ... he just doesn't watch football ... or anything football related.

Suuuuuuure.

In case you forgot ... Furnish labeled Madge as a "desperate" narcissist after she beat out Elton for Best Song at the Globes a few weeks ago. He later backed off the statement ... but never really apologized.

So ... is anyone actually buyin' what Furnish is selling ... that he won't be watching the biggest TV event of the year? Or is this yet ANOTHER attack in the cattiest feud in Hollywood?

Elton John's husband is kinda, sorta backing off his anti-Madonna campaign ... issuing a quasi-explanation for trashing the singer after the Golden Globes ... but not exactly apologizing.

David Furnish -- who called Madge "desperate" and narcissistic when she beat out Elton for Best Original Song -- went back to his Facebook page today and wrote, "Wow!  What a tempest in a teapot.  My passion for our film 'Gnomeo & Juliet' and belief in Elton's song really got my emotional juices going."

He added, "But I must say for the record that I do believe Madonna is a great artist, and that Elton and I wish her all the best for next week's premiere of the film 'W.E.'"

Suuuuuure.

It's clearly not an apology -- so, why issue the statement? Your comments ...

Elton John's husband David Furnish LASHED OUT at Madonna following her victory speech at the Golden Globes last night ... saying it was "embarrassing in its narcissism."

Moments after Madge won the statue for Best Original Song, Furnish went to his Facebook page and WENT OFF ... writing, "Madonna. Best song???? F**k off!!!"

For the record -- Elton was nominated in the same category and seemed pissed off in the crowd when Madonna's name was read.

But David continued on Facebook ... writing, "Madonna winning Best Original Song truly shows how these awards have nothing to do with merit. Her acceptance speech was embarrassing in it's narcissism. And her critisism of Gaga shows how desperate she really is."

Elton seemed particularly bitter towards Madonna BEFORE the awards ... telling one reporter on the red carpet he believed Madge had no "f**kin' chance" of emerging victorious.

Can you feel the military tonight? Sir Elton John and his partner David Furnish emerged triumphantly in full Reg-imental garb from Shoreditch Town Hall in the East End of London.


The couple was not returning from a reenactment of a World War I battle; rather, they had just celebrated John's 60th birthday, along with Sir Paul McCartney, the Osbournes and Kate Moss. The black-tie affair was studded with other high-ranking members of the British social army, including Hugh Grant, Sting and Thandie Newton.