Barack Obama revealed his secret crush on Meryl Streep at an awards function at the White House.

Kennedy Centre Honours’ awards programme honoured singers Neil Diamond and Barbara Cook, jazz great Sonny Rollins, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma.

"Anybody who saw The French Lieutenant’s Woman had a crush on her," Sky News quoted Obama as saying.

Obama also paid tribute to the cellist Ma - who has been playing since the age of four - with a topical quip, suggesting he could learn a thing or two from the world-renowned cellist.

"Maybe the most amazing thing about Yo-Yo Ma is that everybody likes him," he said.

"You’ve got to give me some tips," he added.