Ellis-Bextor is 'unconventional, not odd'

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has revealed that she doesn't care if people think she looks "a bit odd" because all of her icons are "unconventional-looking".

Ellis-Bextor told The Mail On Sunday that she learned to stand up for herself at school when people criticised her looks.

"Ultimately I don't care if people think I look a bit odd. All my favourite female pop stars - Debbie Harry, PJ Harvey, Bjork - are unconventional-looking and slightly bonkers."

The 31-year-old, whose single 'Bittersweet' is out now, also admitted that she occasionally pretends to be French when she is not in the mood to be recognised.

"People have come up to me and asked, 'Are you Sophie Ellis-Bextor?' Usually I'm fine with it but there are days I can't be bothered. So I've shrugged and said, 'Non'.

"Sometimes it works. If they're French it can get a bit complicated," she said.