Blur star writing memoir on rural life

Blur star Alex James is writing a 'Year In Provence'-style memoir about his conversion to rural life, he revealed today.

The bass player, who is now a successful cheese producer after moving into an Oxfordshire farm, has already put fingers to keyboard with a book about his wild years in the band.

The musician-turned-farmer, 41, has likened his new book to Peter Mayle’s bestseller, which was adapted for TV in a series starring John Thaw and Lindsay Duncan.

“I’m trying very hard to write a book – I’m just finishing it so I’m going into my bunker and emerge in the spring. It’s like a 'Year In Provence'-type thing - only cheesier,” he said.

James, who wrote an autobiography detailing his time with Blur – 'Bit Of A Blur' - in 2007, moved from London to Kingham in Oxfordshire, where he lives on a farm making cheese and growing wheat, with wife Claire and their five children.

The couple decided to buy the farm on a whim after tying the knot.

“We bought the farm on our honeymoon and if we hadn’t had been in the throes of romance, we’d never have done anything so ridiculous. But like many people, we don’t look back,” he said.

James said he never imagined he would fall in love with country living.

“If you’re thinking about it, just do it – I love my life in the country. It’s funny, I never want to leave now,” he said.

“I thought I was retiring, but I’ve never been so busy. It’s very absorbing, living in the country, it has very different rhythms to city life which you sort of grow into. It is very different to the city but the more you stay here, the more it grows on you. It’s subtle but it’s powerful.”