James Blunt Remembers Carrie Fisher on Her Birthday, Tells Story of Their Unlikely Friendship

James Blunt is reflecting on his friendship with the late Carrie Fisher on what would have been the actress’ 67th birthday.

Carrie, who was best known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars movies, died on December 27, 2016 at the age of 60.

James, 49, recently spoke about how he formed an unlikely bond with Carrie.

Keep reading to find out more…

In an interview with the Guardian, the British singer spoke about how Carrie became his “best, best friend” after they met at a London restaurant in 2003.

“I sat beside [Fisher] at lunch,” he said. “I had just got a record deal and was moving to LA. Carrie‘s first question was: ‘What do you do?’ I said: ‘I’ve left the army to go to make an album in LA.’ Question number two was: ‘Where are you going to live?’ I said I didn’t know. Her reply – the third thing she ever said to me – was: ‘Well, you’re going to live with me.’”

James said that he didn’t see Carrie for the first month that they lived together, but they eventually grew close.

“I came home one night and sat on the end of her bed and we talked until morning,” he described. “After that, whenever I got back from the studio I’d go into her room to talk, no matter if it was 11pm or 3am. She became my best, best friend.”

James also revealed that he wrote a song about visiting Carrie‘s house after she died.

“I put my hand on her gate and started crying,” he recounted. “Moments after, one of the open-top Star Map vans that drive tourists around LA turned up. Over the PA, the guide said: ‘On your left, you’ll find the late, great Carrie Fisher‘s house … As you can see, some fans are still deeply moved by her passing.’ That was me. I wanted to tell them to f— off, but eventually found it funny.”

The song, “Dark Thought,” will be on James‘ upcoming album Who We Used to Be, slated to release on Friday (October 27).

Earlier this year, Carrie Fisher‘s daughter Billie Lourd honored her late mother with a heartfelt Mother’s Day post!