Dame Shirley signs new record contract

DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY has announced that she has signed a new contract with Geffen Records.

The legendary singer said she also plans to release an album this autumn.

The 72-year-old singer will collaborate with James Bond composer David Arnold on her first LP of contemporary songs in over ten years.

Arnold said: "There is a whole generation out there which has never sat in front of an amazing singer like Dame Shirley Bassey and experienced the power, the performance and the commitment that she has.

"Hopefully this album will introduce that audience to her as well as bringing her many fans along with them."

He added: "There are not that many truly great singers in the world and Dame Shirley Bassey is one of them. She is still here, still relevant and still quite brilliant."

Earlier this year, Pet Shop Boys announced that they had written a track for inclusion on a future Bassey album.