Florence Welch has revealed how flattered she was after hearing that Beyonce had cited her as a major influence on her last record.

The former Destiny’s Child star had told Billboard magazine last year that her fourth solo album, ‘4’ was inspired by listening to Florence + the Machine, as well as the likes of Adele, Prince and The Jackson 5.

And the ‘Shake It Out’ singer, who last week finished her biggest ever UK and Ireland arena tour, confessed to NME Radio that she was chuffed with the compliment, if a little puzzled:

"It's amazing. I was listening to '4' and trying to figure out where the influence might be, but it's incredible. She's a really wonderful person, it's a surreal thing to hear, but really nice."

The 25-year-old also admitted that her current album, 'Ceremonials,' was a lot easier to record than 2009 debut, 'Lungs':

"The first record was done under such hot house conditions. It was done after winning the Critics Choice award and with all the hype and press scrutiny when I don't think I was a full formed artist yet.

"I wasn't sure what music I was making, the band was in a state of flux and I think I had second album syndrome with the first album. With this one, I had a much clearer idea of what I wanted to do and where I wanted to do it. It came together easier."