Nathan Sykes lining up Sam Smith collaboration

The Wanted star Nathan Sykes has reportedly recruited fellow Brit Sam Smith to help him launch a solo career.

The one-time boyband member is currently working on his debut solo release and he is hoping to turn negotiations with four-time Grammy winner Smith into action.

Sykes tells Eonline.com, "We've spoken about going into the studio before and I think it's quite likely going to happen over the next year. It'll be insane. I think it'll be such a great opportunity to create something really cool."

Sykes reveals his solo work will be more "soulful" and he is eager to prove he is more than just the average boyband star.

He says, "I think people just kind of saw me as the baby-faced one from The Wanted and the young one who sang, like, a couple of verses in Glad You Came. This is an opportunity to show that I can write and produce really good music."

The Wanted embarked on an indefinite hiatus last summer (14) and Sykes recently revealed he has been working with legendary songwriters Diane Warren and Babyface on new solo material.