Sam Smith debunks James Bond rumours: 'It's something everyone would love to do but it's all news to me'

Speculation had been rife that Smith was in talks to record the theme song

With a richly tonal, soulful voice, Sam Smith far belies his 21 years (Rex)

Sam Smith has told NME that he will not be performing the next Bond theme tune.

Rumours that Smith would follow in the footsteps of Tom Jones and Adele as the vocalist for the new film were rife last week.

It was thought that the singer had been asked after attempts to convince Adele to return were unsuccessful.

But Smith has since put an end to the speculation, saying he has “no idea what that was about and I know as much as you do. You probably know more than me; I didn't even read the article.

"I think it's something everyone would love to do, but yeah, it was all news to me. I won't say any more on it."

The singer would have been the first male soloist to sing a Bond theme since Chris Cornell performed "You Know My Name" in 2006 for Casino Royale.

Skyfall's theme song, the last Bond film to be released, won Adele many awards including an Oscar, a Bafta and a Golden Globe.

Sam Mendes will return to direct the new film, out in the UK on 23 October next year.

It will be Daniel Craig’s fourth film in the role, joining Ralph Fiennes as M, Ben Whishaw as Q, and Naomie Harris as Miss Moneypenny.