Benedict Cumberbatch lends voice to Friendly Fires album

Actor Benedict Cumberbatch has signed up for an unlikely collaboration with Friendly Fires.

The Sherlock star jumped at the chance to record a spoken-word piece, entitled Flat of Angels, for the band's compilation album Late Night Tales as he is a big fan of their music.

The story, written by the group's author pal Simon Cleary, details the aftermath of a house party in alternating voices,

Guitarist Edd Gibson tells the Daily Star, "You don't consider there are people playing Sherlock Holmes who then remove their make-up to the sound of Friendly Fires - it was a giddy surprise.

"We got a friend to write a story for Benedict to read out on the album."

The collection, due out on Tuesday, also includes tracks by Cocteau Twins and SBTRKT.