Katy Perry and Russell Brand record duet

Katy Perry and Russell Brand have recorded a duet.

The pop star and the comedian spent hours at Los Angeles’ iconic Sunset Sounds recording studio laying down a musical version of Edward Lear’s 1871 poem The Owl and the Pussycat. The ode is said to be a “very private personal joke” between the couple.

A source told The Sun newspaper: “Russell was just messing around in the studio with Katy. He was pretending to sing into the microphone and started reciting the poem, The Owl And The Pussycat, with the lines, 'Oh lovely Pussy! Oh Pussy my love, what a beautiful Pussy you are'.

“It transpired the poem is a private joke between the couple. They often use the nicknames Owl and Pussycat. Russell is 'Owl' because he's wise and, well, it's fairly obvious that Katy's a sex kitten, isn't it?”

Witnesses claim the song was so good it had everyone “completely transfixed”.

“He has an amazing delivery,” the source said. “Katy blushed at the line, 'O let us be married, too long have we tarried' then joined in, singing a refrain to Russell's speech.

“That's when it dawned on everyone. It was actually really good. With work, it could be a really interesting track, evocative of The Goons or Monty Python. They were very harmonious. Everyone was transfixed.”

Meanwhile, the couple are reportedly looking for a home in Hollywood. Russell, 34, has told his aides to find a luxurious six-bedroom house so he can sell his London home and move in with the 25-year-old singer.

An insider said: “Russell and Katy are looking to rent together for the first few months. They’re hoping to move as quickly as possible and Russell has put his Hampstead home up for sale. The move comes after Katy’s family have given her the thumbs up as they think he is a nice guy.”