American Idol runner-up Adam Lambert has defended his American Music Awards performance against criticism that it was too raunchy for TV.

While closing the show with his new single For Your Entertainment, the openly gay star caused a stir in some quarters by simulating oral sex with a male dancer and locking lips with his male keyboardist.

But Lambert is adamant he shouldn't have to tone down his act to please everybody.

"You know honestly, if I offended some people... it's apples and oranges," told Access Hollywood.  "I'm not an artist that does things for every single person.

"I believe in artistic freedom and expression, I believe in honoring the lyrics of a song, and those lyrics aren't really for everybody either."

He added: "There's a big double standard, female pop artists have been doing things provocative like that for years, and the fact that I'm a male, and I'll be edited and discriminated against could be a problem.

"People are scared and it's really sad, I just wish people could open their minds up and enjoy things, it's all for a laugh, it's really not that big of a deal."

Lambert's performance was also notable for the tumble he took while running along the raised stage set.

Like Jennifer Lopez - who also fell during her song - he recovered quickly and carried on.

Stars on the AMAs red carpet