BLUR bassist ALEX JAMES has forged an unlikely friendship with British rapper DIZZEE RASCAL - over their shared love of cheese.

The hip-hop star - real name Dylan Mills - was impressed after tasting samples of the musician-turned-cheese-maker’s homemade creations.

Mills, 22, explains, "Yeah, big up him (Alex), he gave me some cheese. He sent me some cheese to check, ‘nough respect to that. It was strong. Big up to that, but boy oh boy, it was hard!" But the Fix Up, Look Sharp hitmaker insists his favourite dairy delight is the more ordinary supermarket wedge: "The best cheese I’ve ever tasted is (cream cheese) Laughing Cow, BabyBel (a variety of Edam) - you know that! It does the job!"