Salling 'defends Glee co-star GQ pics'

Mark Salling has defended his Glee co-stars against controversy over racy photos appearing in the latest issue of GQ.

Stars Lea Michele and Dianna Agron faced considerable criticism this week after posing in revealing clothing with Cory Monteith in a multi-page spread for the magazine.

However, Salling - who did not appear in the shoot - has insisted that the pictures are "not a big deal".

"Personally, I think it's not a big deal. Lea is 23 years old and has every right to do that. I mean, come on!" he said during an interview with presenter Jo Jo Wright on KIIS-FM.

"We're obviously not in high school. It's tongue-in-cheek that we're in high school. People are starving, [Dallas football team] Cowboys are losing - there's more important things to worry about in the world."

Agron has since apologised for any potential offense caused by the photos.