E.L. James: "I used to be in a gospel choir!"

5 September 2012, 22:40 | Updated: 5 September 2012, 22:49

Fifty Shades Of Grey author E.L. James has revealed that she used to be in a gospel choir at an East London launch for the tie-in classical music album.

E.L. James, author of the multi-million selling 'Fifty Shades' trilogy, kicked off a rare public interview with the revelation that she used to be in a gospel choir. She reasoned that it might stand her in good stead when she eventually meets her maker.

The revelation came at a launch event for the classical music album that features music referenced in the novels. She also revealed the musical background to the novels, and enthused about the particular chart success of Thomas Tallis' 'Spem In Alium'.

One of the main characters, Christian Grey, plays the piano at various points in the novels, about which James said: "He plays a lot of classical music, and listens to a lot… I listen to a lot too."

When asked what music she listened to while she wrote her books, James commented: "I have songs that I write to… The Black Eyed Peas' 'Sexy' is a very sexy song."

Other music featured on the album include Pachelbel's Canon in D, Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto, Delibes' Flower Duet and the prelude to Verdi's 'La Traviata'.