She is Britain’s golden girl but Jessica Ennis’s world is about to turn a little bluer after she confessed she is to celebrate her success by reading erotic novel Fifty Shades of Grey.
The 26-year-old heptathlon gold medallist planned to read the Fifty Shades hit trilogy by E L James before the Games but decided its risqué contents would prove too distracting. The athlete has even warned her fiancé, Andy Hill, that he should be “wary” that she is about to delve into the book that has become Britain’s biggest bestseller.
Ennis was unwinding at Omega House in Soho last night, where she threw her strict training diet out of the window to enjoy a few glasses of champagne with Hill.
She told the Standard she was finding her new-found fame “surreal”, and added: “I’m going to take a few weeks off. I’ve not actually sat down with my coach and come up with a definite plan yet — I need to enjoy this moment. I just want to make the most of it.
“We’re going to book a holiday. Somewhere on a beach, really quiet, and just do nothing and read a book. I’m going to read Fifty Shades of Grey. All my friends and literally everyone I speak to is reading it. So I’m going to buy all three of them and read them on holiday.”
Ennis, who wore an Alexander McQueen dress, was the main focus of the party despite the presence of other guests including British long jump gold medallist Greg Rutherford and USA sprint star Tyson Gay.
Describing her new celebrity status, Ennis, who lives in Sheffield, said: “I don’t feel any different though. It’s great to be enjoying London like this but I’m a northern girl and I love living up there.”
Another celebration was going on at Mahiki nightclub in Mayfair, where cyclist Dani King and gymnasts Beth Tweddle and Hannah Whelan also enjoyed a good night out.
