Saucy song for cook Delia

"Song For Delia" cooking up a storm

Delia Smith is ready to swap her kitchen for the glamour of the pop world, because a cheeky record about her comes out next week.

If "Song For Delia" matches the clamour for her books, recipe ingredients and even omelette pans, then a musical hit is on the cards.

Delia, I'd like to peel ya ... like an aubergine

Song For Delia

The song is more simmering jazz than piping hot rhythm, but it has some spicy lyrics like: "Delia, I'd like to peel ya ... like an aubergine."

Delia Smith herself is not at all offended, but points out that aubergines are one vegetable she thinks best left unpeeled.

The tune was written for the Hay-on-Wye book festival and is performed by a band called Bad Habits, from Worcester.

Singer Nick Hurt may not be entirely serious when he describes the record as a tribute to Delia Smith as more than just a cook, but also a sex symbol and major literary figure.

She writes like Shakespeare in an oven glove

Song For Delia

"She writes like Shakespeare in an oven glove", the song also proclaims.

"I've always thought that there was something rather - in the nicest possible way - sexy about Delia standing there in her apron being very demure, and I thought it might be nice to write a song that celebrated her as a woman.

"It's just meant to be good clean fun and I hope she'll love it," said Nick.

Delia Smith has fun as director of Norwich FC

Reaction to the record was mostly positive at a sneak preview for people in Norwich, where Delia Smith is a director of the local football club.

One woman thought it a little raunchy but interesting, and that the band might have a big hit on their hands.

Another reckoned it was good music to cook to - a little shake here, a little shake there.

A male listener claimed to have been overcome by what he called "the groove".

A young dissenter wittily described it as "a bit cheesy", and thought Delia might be quite disturbed if she heard it.

But she has, and she thinks it is all a great laugh.