Swedish film and video director Jonas Akerlund, who helmed some of Madonna’s most popular videos, has predicted Lady Gaga to be the next Queen of Pop. Akerlund, who worked with Madonna on her Ray of Light and Music videos, has directed Gaga’s new nine-and-a-half minute Telephone video, which also features Beyonce.

And while working with the Poker Face star he couldn’t help noticing how similar she was to Madonna.

"I really don''t like to compare the artists that I work with, because they are all so unique and so different. One thing for sure is that Gaga is a true artist. She's really a huge talent, and she's such a hard worker. That makes me think of Madonna, because Madonna is always such a hard worker, more than anybody else," the Daily Star quoted Akerlund, as telling MTV.com.

He added: "She's (Madonna) always very creative. She always goes back to creativity. She has so much politics around and all these stupid rumours and gossip and all that, and some artists manage to stay above that. So, in that sense, I''m fine with comparing (Gaga and Madonna), but then again, they''re so different.

"I also have 12 years with Madonna and I have two videos with Gaga; it's for the future to tell, but I think that Gaga has all the potential and all the tools and all the brain to take her creativity as far she wants to. But she''s great."