Bond 24: Sam Smith 'Beats Lana Del Rey' to Job of Singing Next James Bond Theme

British crooner Sam Smith has reportedly beaten Lana Del Rey to the job of singing the next James Bond theme.

It has always been a highly sought-after gig for a musician but particularly after the huge, Oscar-winning success of Adele's Skyfall in 2012.

The report that Smith has won out comes from New York Post's Page Six (so take it with a pinch of salt), who claim Del Rey has been left disappointed after lobbying hard to provide the theme for next year's Bond 24.

However, a rep of the Stay With Me singer apparently told Page Six: "That is not confirmed."

Personally I believe it is too early for MGM and EON Productions to be signing a singer for the next theme. In the case of Skyfall, Adele was announced less than a month before the film was released.

While Bond 24 stars Daniel Craig, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Naomi Harris and, according to reports, Lea Seydoux and Dave Bautista as the Bond girl and villainous henchman respectively, it also sees the return of Skyfall director Sam Mendes.

Bond 24 is set to start filming in early December ahead of a release on 23 October 2015.