Travolta and the tender farewell kiss

John Travolta, movie star, loving husband and father of two has been snapped on the steps of his private plane planting a kiss on the lips of an unknown man.

It could be, of course, that he was just practising for his latest role as a woman in a version of the camp musical Hairspray.

But the picture will do little to dispel rumours that have surrounded the 52-year-old actor's sexuality.

In 1991 a man alleged he had a two-year affair with Travolta, though he later retracted the story.

In 1998, the actor was named in a lawsuit from a gay man who claimed the Church of Scientology, of which Travolta is a member, promised to 'cure' him of his homosexuality and cited Travolta as a success story.

Travolta's lawyer has said: "Travolta is a happily married man, which proves he isn't gay." His 14-year marriage to Kelly Preston is seen as one of the most enduring in Hollywood.