Foxx thankful first album failed

Actor Jamie Foxx is delighted his first attempt at launching himself as a musician flopped because he would never have gone on to win an Oscar if his singing career had taken off.

The Ray star won the 2005 Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of the late music legend Ray Charles - but he is convinced he would have missed out on the honour if 1994's Peep This album had sold well.

He says: "I always wanted to sing, but I'm glad I didn't get the music career early because you never would have known me if I had.

"I probably would have done the Boyz II Men thing, singing slow songs and wearing linen."

Foxx has since gone on to receive a Grammy Award nomination for the song Creepin', performed collaborations with hip-hop star Kanye West, and released his chart-topping second studio album Unpredictable.