Pet Shop Boy, Chris Lowe, has confirmed that the duo have written a song for Shirley Bassey.

Speaking to Gigwise ahead of the release of their tenth studio album 'Yes', Lowe revealed they were approached to contribute a track to the Welsh Dame's next studio album and they duly obliged.

Expressing his shock that rumours had already emerged online, Lowe told us: “How do you know this? My goodness the Internet's bloody good isn’t it?! I didn’t think anyone knew about that.

“Well... we’ve written a song for Shirley Bassey which we’ve heard she likes so that’s all I know and I think she’s making an album with John Arnold so... wow I’m amazed that’s on the internet!”

The 49-year-old also admitted they were honoured to receive the outstanding contribution Brit Award last month, despite not holding awards in high regard.

He said: “Awards are not the be all and end all to us, they remind me a bit too much of prize giving at school, I’ve always thought that the music itself was the reward, but this one was nice because it was all the record companies who voted to give it to us and that means something.”

(by Scott Colothan)