Spectre: Sam Smith releases James Bond theme tune 'Writing's on the Wall' in full - listen

Following in Adele's footsteps, the track is a classic ballad with a soulful edge

Sam Smith has released his Spectre theme tune 'Writing's on the Wall' in full (Getty Images)

Sam Smith has revealed his much-anticipated James Bond theme tune “Writing’s On The Wall” from the forthcoming 007 film Spectre.

Following in the footsteps of Adele, who won an Oscar for her "Skyfall" theme tune in 2013, Smith’s song is a classic dramatic ballad with a soulful edge.

The track is already tipped to be the first Bond song to enter number one in the UK charts, with Spectre producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson calling it “one of the greatest Bond songs of all time”.

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Smith was finally unveiled as the singer behind the film’s soundtrack after denying rumours he had been lined-up by Bond producers for months.

“I am so excited to be part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line-up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it,” he said.

The multi-platinum selling singer has co-written “Writing's On the Wall” with fellow Grammy winner Jimmy Napes. It is the first James Bond theme recorded by a British male solo artist since Tom Jones’s “Thunderball” in 1965.

Spectre is due to be released in the UK on 26 October. Daniel Craig returns to his starring role, alongside new faces Christoph Waltz, Monica Bellucci, Ralph Fiennes and Lea Seydoux.