Rita Ora had a ‘hard time’ after Prince died

Rita Ora had a "hard time" after Prince died.

The ‘I Will Never Let You Down’ singer was left devastated when the iconic star died from an overdose in April this year, but will always feel "lucky" that she got to spend time with him while recording the 2015 hit ‘Ain’t About 2 Stop’.

Speaking to Cosmopolitan magazine about how she coped with the loss, she said: "That was a hard time for me and my sister.

"He looked after us and I went to Minneapolis to record for a week. He was one of the coolest, most inspiring people.

"I’m so lucky I got to share moments with him."

After Prince’s death, Rita paid a heartfelt tribute to her "dear kind friend" whose friendship was "so special" to her, and she recalled how the pair had shared "dance off’s" and lots of "laughing".

The message – which was previously posted on Instagram – read: "This is coming from a place I never new existed in my heart. You were so special to me your presence the music we created the dance-off’s we used to have the laughing we shared.

"The funk oozing out of you was uncontrollable. I’m not quite sure what to do with myself but I will miss you forever and always. I love you my dear kind friend.

"May all my prayers go to his family the whole band (you know who you are, I love you all so much) anybody who felt even one little bit of what I was lucky enough to experience face to face, and let us keep alive the one thing he knew would last forever, his music. I love you P. I will never forget you. Love your Rita.(sic)"

But fellow singer Lily Allen appeared to poke fun at her, prompting a backlash from fans

Lily wrote back on Twitter: "Pics or it never happened."

She quickly came under fire from Rita’s fans and swiftly backtracked, adding: "I didn’t mean that in a mean way, I’m just jealous you were so close to my idol. #superfan #ritabots go IN."

Prince dropped a new album in December entitled ‘HITNRUN Phase One’ that features the 24-year-old singer, which Rita’s fans were quick to point out.

Fuming fans responded: "Jealous flop b**ch.

"If he was your f**king idol why haven’t you head of his last f**king album dear Lily? Oh yeah Rita Ora features on it"

And another said: "Lily Allen coming after Rita Ora over Prince is so tacky. Rita worked with the man. Let her feel her feels."