Lea Michele has revealed that she has been using her new single as a way of encouraging her mind following the death of Cory Monteith.

The 31-year-old Glee star died in July and the news particularly shocked his colleague and real life girlfriend Michele.

The actress is due to release her debut album 'Louder' next year and she recently unleashed its first single, 'Cannonball'.

Speaking to MTV, Michele said that the song has particularly had a positive effect on her as she comes to terms with her loss.

The Glee lady said: "Cory had heard every song from the album, obviously with the exception of those two ['Cannonball' and 'If You Say So']. And I figured I had the opportunity, if I want to add anything, and we sat down and we came up with 'If You Say So,' which is a very, very, very personal, it's a very personal and it's a very intense song for me, that's one thing.

"And I just felt that 'Cannonball' was the perfect first song for people to hear from this record. It just really explains where I am right now and it's been such an inspirational song for me. It's been such a rock, such a source of strength for me."