British pop star Ellie Goulding has fuelled speculation she has been chosen to sing the next James Bond theme by posting a cryptic message online.

The Lights hitmaker is believed to be the main contender for the coveted job after she was outed by another previously-rumoured candidate, Sam Smith, in a recent interview.

Smith said of the role, "I heard Ellie Goulding was going to do it, it's definitely not me."

Goulding headed to a recording studio on Thursday (09Jul15) and she threw fans into a spin by posting a Bond-themed message on Twitter.com, writing, "Live and Let Die", a reference to the 1973 film starring Sir Roger Moore and featuring a song by Sir Paul McCartney's band Wings.

Spectre, the new Bond movie starring Daniel Craig, is due for release later this year (15).