It's the biggest selling UK book of all time. It's inspired a host of parodies, and even more column inches. In fact, some might say the 50 Shades Of Grey phenonomen has become a little annoying.
Which begs the question - who or what is responsible for EL James' trilogy? Is there anyone else we can blame? Well, today we know. It's the fault of none other than slightly spooky pop robot, Will.i.am.
The author has claimed that listening to Will's lyrics - particularly on the track Sexy from 2003's Elephunk - inspired her to write her novels.
She told The Sun: "I have songs that I write sex to. One of them is the Black Eyed Peas' Sexy. That is a very sexy song.''
So Sexy is a very sexy song? We weren't sure, so we took a quick trip to Google to find out. And here's what she is talking about:
Sexy
Girl u really got me goin
Outta control
I dot know what im doin
Lets let it go
And do what we do best
Take off our clothes
We look better undressed
Yes to sex
Yes to sex
No to War
No to war
Fightin' is rightin'
Fightin' is rightin'
Yes to sex
It's so much more exciting
Yes to sex
Yes to sex
No to War
No to war
Fightin is frightning
Fightin is frightening
Yes to sex
It's so much more exciting
Its called the S E X X X X
(YES YES YES)
OK we admit it: she has a point. That is a very sexy song.
