Florence Welch has gushed about having Blake Lively as a close friend and confidante.

The Florence + the Machine star has formed a firm friendship with Hollywood beauty Lively, and the two often meet up when they are in the same area.

Welch explained to ES magazine: “She’s been a really big support when I’m in that big, crazy Met Ball scene – having Blake there to be a partner in crime has been really lovely. She’s got such a big heart. She’s far more in the public eye than I am, and she’s a good, grounded wise person for me to get advice from.”

Welch has revealed how the pair first met and came to form such a bond.

She smiled: “I performed on Gossip Girl a couple of years ago, and she’s always been a fan. She came to my very first show in New York. She was so sweet, she even brought everyone pizza at the after-show, and we’ve been friends ever since. We both love music, and she’s a good influence. She’s very savvy, and a good American girl – she helps me with my more cynical British side.”