Singer Beyonce is to release her third solo album named after an alter-ego.

I Am... Sasha Fierce reveals an alternate persona which the former Destiny's Child star says allows her to "take more risks".

"Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, aggressive, outspoken and glamorous side that comes out when I'm working and when I'm on the stage," she said.

The double album will be released in the UK on 17 November and a day later in North America.

"I have someone else that takes over when it's time for me to work," the star said.

"When I'm on stage, this alter ego that I've created that kind of protects me and who I really am."

'Different space'

The 27-year-old's manager and father Matthew Knowles said: "Beyonce was adamant - and she has complete creative control - about dividing her songs.

"She felt she couldn't mix the songs together.

"She's in a much different space now than she was one year ago - she's married and in a really good place and this album reflects that."

Beyonce said the double album would "reveal a side of me that people only who know me see."

The singer married rap star Jay-Z earlier this year in New York.

-BBC News