Alex James: 'I'm happiest in my garden'

Alex James has revealed that he loves spending time outside in his garden.

The Blur bassist, who became a cheese farmer when the group had a break in 2003, even had a kitchen built outside at his farm so that he could be closer to nature.

He told The Independent: "I've realised I'm happiest in the garden, especially when it's dark. Autumn and winter nights have the clearest, most spectacular skies and I'm relishing the thought of getting cosy out there with the telescope as the nights draw in."

He continued: "I've put a few lights in. I've even built a little kitchen out there! I don't mind the cold - jumpers and the bonfire see to that. Even the rain I can cope with. I've got one of those big freestanding brolly things. It's only the wind that can spoil a big night out, now, and it does, a hard wind, more than anything."

James lives at his Oxford estate with wife Claire and their four children.