Italy ex-prime minister Silvio Berlusconi releases album of love songs

Imagine this - you've just resigned as prime minister of Italy - what would you do with your spare time? Start a charitable foundation? Become an after-dinner speaker? Well, if you're Silvio Berlusconi, your first move would obviously be to release a new album.

Berlusconi, who resigned as Italian premier earlier this week, has penned a compilation of love songs called Il Vero Amore (True Love in English), according to Italian news agency ANSA. He's written the songs, which are performed by his close friend Mariano Apicella, a former parking attendant.

The compilation was originally slated for release in September, but its release was delayed twice as Berlusconi faced a confidence vote in the Italian parliament. However, Apicella says that the delay was down to production reasons and nothing to do with his friend's political predicament.

The duo have released four albums together, and fact fans may be interested to know that Berlusconi's musical career began before his first release with Apicella - the politician used to sing on cruise ships and played double bass in a band.

Il Vero Amore is released in Italy on Tuesday, November 22.

> Silvio Berlusconi-inspired aphrodisiacs launched
> Berlusconi statue gets controversial penis

Watch a clip of Silvio Berlusconi and Mariano Apicella performing together below: