British pop legend Elton John will be banned from adopting the Ukrainian toddler he found in an orphanage because he is too old and unmarried, the country’s Minister for Family and Youth affairs confirmed yesterday. The star and his partner David Furnish wanted to adopt the 14-month-old HIV-infected boy Lev (trio pictured above). But the Ukranian Family,Youth and Sports Minister Yuriy Pavlenko said yesterday there were 2 obstacles. Firstly, adoptive parents must be married, and Ukraine does not recognise homosexual unions – UK “Civil partnerships” - as marriage. Secondly, Elton aged 62 is too old, because Ukrainian law requires there be an age difference between adoptive parent and child of no more than 45 years. Tough luck, Elton – if you can’t get these Ukrainians to change their minds and you’re still intent on self-indulgent celebrity kidnapping, it looks like you’re going to have to give Madonna a call for some addresses and some palms to cross with silver in Africa !