Just Jack 'chuffed' fans split

Just Jack says he's "chuffed" his latest single The Day I Died has split people into two camps.

Just Jack's single The Day I Died will be released on 17 August

"I'm told it's uplifting and upsetting. It's great, there aren't many pop songs you can have a proper conversation or debate about.

"People have written small essays on YouTube deconstructing the video, they've left me baffled messages on Twitter - it's great, I wanted it to be a song people would react to."

The new music video sees James Nesbitt cast as a man going about his business during the last day of his life - and then dying.

The actor was reportedly asked to star in Just Jack's video by pop legend Elton John. The two became friends after Elton John called Jack to say he liked his music.

Jack says it was "amazing" to work with "an actor of that calibre".

"He was so convincing, it was really impressive. You almost forgot he was acting and wanted to start helping him.

"He was cool, a really nice guy - one of the most charming people I've ever met.

"I met him at 7am - he was having fake blood put on his head and had a bruise on his face, it was a bit weird. He lay in an inch deep puddle of water for 20 minutes at the end of the video, he was a proper trooper."

YouTube: Watch the official new Just Jack video

'Over the moon'

The video also sees Jack make a cameo appearance, turning up as a paramedic.

"A lot of people haven't realised I'm in it. There isn't really a cut and dry explanation why I make a cameo - it's open to interpretation."

But the 33-year-old says it was nice to make a "short film type music video" - and have the focus taken away from him "pulling singing faces".

And he's chuffed with the response the single is getting.

"I'm very happy, I'm over the moon. It's a very unusual song, I'm not saying it's utterly original, but nothing sounds like it at the moment, so I'm chuffed."

He admits he did play his album to his friend Elton John.

"He phoned me up and told me what his favourite songs were - The Day I Died is one of them," he says.

But he's bashful about having such a famous friend.

"You never get a warning when he calls - it's a withheld number. It's weird if I'm sitting with people, but he's a normal person when you meet him. He likes music, I like music - we always talk about music."

The Day I Died single will be released on 17 August