Is 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Christian Grey based on an Italian real estate agent?

An Italian real estate agent has claimed that he is supposedly the inspiration behind the best selling Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy's iconic character Christian Grey.

The 39-year-old Alessandro Proto, who reportedly brokered homes in Italy to Hollywood's elite actors, met EL James back in 2010 when she was travelling around Italy while writing a piece on global celebs buying properties in the country.

Proto claims that there are several key similarities between Grey's character and his own life during the time he spent with James, Contactmusic reported.

He told New York Daily News that the firm Grey runs in the book is called Grey Enterprise Holding while his is called Proto Organization Holding.

Proto also said that when she met EL James she used to drive a R8 Audi, referring to Grey owning an Audi R8 Spyder.

Proto also said that he too is very reserved like Grey.