Sophie Ellis-Bextor: 'I gave birth to the iPod'

Sophie Ellis-Bextor has joked that the iPod would not exist without her.

The 'Starlight' singer claimed to have heard from "reliable Apple sources" that her 2000 number one 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love), recorded with Italian DJ Spiller, was used to test the iconic media player's capability.

"The iPod wouldn't have existed without me," she told The Mail On Sunday. "It's quite cool imagining Steve Jobs listening to it and thinking, 'This white box will work - it sounds great!'

"No one's ever recognised my contribution to it in any way over at Apple. In fact, it's only ever cost me money, because the whole house is full of Apple gear as a result. A musician can't live without it now."

Although she will forever be connected to Apple, Ellis-Bextor revealed that she has also rubbed shoulders with Jobs's Microsoft rival Bill Gates at a private event in Antibes, France.

"It was a hugely lavish affair that included Bill Gates on the guest list," she recalled. "His dancing is unique. He does a kind of clap to the front and a clap to the back, and a shuffle."

> Click for Digital Spy's interview with Sophie Ellis-Bextor

Watch the video for Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Spiller's 'Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)' below: