SETTLE singer John Newman has been busy putting the finishing touches to his forthcoming debut album.

The former Settle College student is hoping to follow in the footsteps of his first single, Feel The Love – a collaboration with Rudimental, which went to number one and provided the perfect launchpad into the big time.

The infectious song was the soundtrack to last summer for many, with John’s distinctive voice and lyrical hook the highlight.

As the 21-year-old put it: “I couldn't have asked for a better start to my career with the work I have done with the Rudimental guys. We knew we were really on to something, but as you can imagine no artist predicts they’re going to make it all the way to the number one spot – it was crazy, crazy stuff.”

John started playing guitar and writing songs in the Yorkshire Dales town aged 14, moving to London just over a year ago when he was signed by Island Records.

Work is well under way for his self-titled debut long player, which he has been recording at Surrey’s State of the Ark studios, a venue used by artists as renowned as The Verve, Mumford & Sons and Kylie Minogue.

And while fans are waiting for its release, they can head to John’s website to take part in a competition to remix his track Try.

See johnnewman.co.uk.