50 Shades is now the best-selling British book of all time

The raunchy novel has even overtaken the Highway Code

Can you believe it? Fifty Shades of Grey is now the UK's best-selling book of all time.

The erotic novel, which tells the story of a kinky relationship between controlling billionaire Christian Grey and innocent graduate Anastasia Steele, has sold over 5.3m copies in physical and ebook format.

It has even overtaken the Highway Code. Crikey.

The sequels, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed, have sold 3.6m and 3.2m, bringing the total sales to over 12m in the UK alone.

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Author EL James expressed her excitement earlier today, saying: 'I simply had no idea they would be so successful and this is totally unexpected. The whole process has been both extraordinary and rewarding.

'I couldn't be more pleased with the sales and would like to thank everyone involved.'

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The book has also sparked an increase in the sale of sex toys used in it - manufacturers recorded a worldwide shortage of 'jiggle balls' last month.

The film rights to the book have been bought by Universal Features and Focus Features, with Ryan Gosling and Emma Watson speculated to play the leads.

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