Amir Khan and music producer Naughty Boy work together in bid to make the boxer the next big rap sensation
HE’s used to landing punches in the ring – but now Amir Khan is set to make another kind of hit.
I can reveal that the boxer is being targeted by Naughty Boy as the music world’s next big rap artist, after impressing the producer in the I’m A Celeb jungle.
And Naughty, who has worked with stars including Beyonce, Sam Smith and Emile Sande, is now taking steps to get Amir in the recording studio.
In an exclusive interview, the music star, far right, said: “Do you know what, I think he’s quite the entertainer and, beyond boxing, it would be really cool to hear him rapping.
“We’ve met and we are friends and it’s something I want to do with him. You know after I’m a Celebrity I just saw a different side to him — he’s really entertaining and charismatic and that’s what you need when you’re a musician.
“I’m going to invite him in the studio for the ultimate Naughty Boy and Khan collaboration.”
Amir already has top connections in the industry having partied with the likes of Drake, Lil Wayne and Nas in the past. I’m sure the boxer wouldn’t be short of material for his rap songs either — especially given all his antics with the ladies and cheating allegations.
It’s not the first time Naughty has worked on transforming a sportsman into a musician.
He previously told The Sun that F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton had approached him to write him “some beats”.
However, Naughty is currently tied up with working on music for Cheryl's new album — which he revealed will include a track about her baby son, Bear, with ex-Liam Payne.
He added: “With Cheryl I’m excited about her music because she’s been vulnerable in the studio.
“She’s spoken about what’s going on inside. As an artist, especially with someone like Cheryl, you assume they sing the songs they get given but not this time round.
“She put her heart in it to make sure she was part of the song-writing process. To be honest it’s her personal business but I know she’s going to have a song about Bear — that’s her world.”
Maybe Amir will be able to get a feature on the record somewhere.
All things b-Rita and beautiful
RITA Ora clearly isn’t letting her split from Andrew Watt dull her shine.
The pop star put on a bright display in this rainbow-striped dress while appearing on entertainment news show Extra in LA on Monday. It came just days after she called off her year-long romance with musician Andrew. But it seems Rita is already on the lookout for a new man.
She told Jonathan Ross last week she was looking for her perfect boyfriend. She said: “I’m very big about personalities. I’m also a bit about attire and the looks and the whole package.”
I’m sure she’ll have no shortage of offers.
James' battle
FAME hasn’t always suited James Arthur.
The Say You Won’t Let Go singer admits he has panic attacks if he thinks he is being watched, including in the gym.
In an interview with Mind magazine for World Mental Health Day today, he said he suffered from them several times per day “for a good couple of years” until they reduced to “once every two weeks”.
James added: “To be honest, I had one just this morning. I was at the gym and, when you’re in the spotlight, you have to deal with the fact that sometimes people are watching you.”
Good on him for speaking up about it.
Telly, clothing range and now fighting... Jack packs a punch
AFTER having his fill of public appearances and telly cameos, Love Island winner Jack Fincham wants to get back in the ring.
The reality star who is still happily dating Dani Dyer, used to be an amateur boxer.
In the two months since he won Love Island, Jack has bagged a reality show on ITVBe, also starring Dani and her family. But he is considering packing in the showbiz world for something more fulfilling.
A source said: “Jack is passionate about boxing and loves how he feels when he’s training. He thinks he can make it if he puts enough work in and has been spotted at a number of high-profile boxing events.
“It means more to him than nightclub appearances.”
Speaking last month, Jack said: “After taking part in 26 amateur fights for Eltham boxing club and in the junior ABAs, I’m really eager to get myself back into the ring and back into my fitness, it’s a massive passion of mine.
“I have a lot happening with the filming of a new TV show and an upcoming clothing range, so I will have to wait a little before I can pull on my gloves.”
Good luck, mate.
Stars' even greater show
THE Greatest Showman soundtrack is already the best-selling album in the UK this year – but now circus master P. T. Barnum has a special trick up his sleeve which could see him land the Christmas No1, too.
Some of the biggest stars around have been enlisted to re-record the hit tunes for a new album called The Greatest Showman – Reimagined.
It will feature Pink covering A Million Dreams, Panis! At The Disco's version of The Greatest Show and Kesha and Missy Elliott performing a rendition of breakout tune This Is Me.
James Arthur and Anne-Marie will duet on Rewrite the Stars while Kelly Clarkson covers Never Enough.
Plus Years & Years, Jess Glynne, TY Dolla $ign, Craig David and Sara Bareilles are among other stars who will feature on the record.
The original soundtrack – which features the film’s lead Hugh Jackman singing – has sold more than 4.5million copies worldwide and is the longest-running soundtrack at No1 in 50 years, having spent 21 weeks at the top of the charts.
The new album will be out on November 16 – the same day as new records from Christmas king Michael Buble and British band Mumford & Sons.
In terms of the race to be the Christmas No1 album, it will also face competition from Clean Bandit, Take That and Rita Ora.
However, judging by its success so far, it should be a doddle.
Vegas bets on Ariana
IT looks like Ariana Grande has her New Year’s plans sorted.
The singer, pictured posing in bodypaint, has kept a low profile since ex-boyfriend Mac Miller’s death last month. But she will headline the New Year’s Eve Weekend at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on December 29. Also on the bill are Imagine Dragons who will play on December 31.
It was announced last month that Ariana would be taking time off to recuperate from recent events, including last year’s Manchester bombing. After recently missing the Emmys, her rep said she needed “time to heal and mend”.
bizbit
A LOT of celebs release books in the run-up to Christmas in a bid to pocket a few extra quid, but an autobiography from Z-list 2012 X Factor contestant Christopher Maloney? That’s really scraping the barrel.
The Sun scares stars
CHARLOTTE Crosby, Dani Dyer and Loose Women's Nadia Sawalha are among the celebs who got a fright in their scariest interview ever courtesy of The Sun, Tulleys Shocktober Fest and a chainsaw-wielding maniac.
Watch the hilarious Halloween video on The Sun’s website and Dan Wootton’s Facebook page.
Breast is best for shedding pounds
NATASHA Bedingfield has defended pal Chrissy Teigen after she faced a backlash for sharing snaps of her breastfeeding on Instagram.
In an exclusive interview, she said: “I love Chrissy, she’s my friend. I love it, I love how real she is and you know I’m British – we like to keep it real but we are also more reserved, so I love having people like her around. I love breastfeeding in public – it’s cool.”
Natasha credited breastfeeding for helping her to shed pounds after giving birth earlier this year.
She added: “I really think it helped me lose weight.”
VUE cinema has caused anger after refusing to show Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper's film A Star Is Born.
Despite the UK premiere being held at its Leicester Square screens, the chain says it is in an ongoing “discussion” with the studio.
'Bit of a drag'
HARRY Potter star Rupert Grint almost quit the franchise after the fourth film, Hary Potter and the Goblet Of Fire.
The actor, who played Ron Weasley, said: “I had just finished my GCSEs. I thought, ‘Do I actually want to keep doing this? It’s a bit of a drag’.”
He added: “You take for granted anonymity, just doing normal stuff, just going out.
"Everything was different and a bit scary. There were times when I was like, ‘I’m done’.”
bizmeter
- TAYLOR Swift triggered a spike in voter registrations in the US after expressing her support for two Democratic candidates. She encouraged her 112million Instagram followers to register in time for next month’s US midterm elections, after which 65,000 rolled in within 24 hours.
- STEVIE Nicks and Janet Jackson are among stars nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A handful of acts will be honoured at a ceremony next spring, with Radiohead, The Cure and Chaka Khan also in the running.
- THE daughter of Chico Slimani is following in her dad’s footsteps by launching a music career. Lalla Khira, pictured with her 2005 X Factor finalist dad, has unveiled her debut track Boys Cry which is raising funds for the Rainbow Child Foundation.
- BIFFY Clyro frontman Simon Neil will pick up the first ever Fender Play Award at next week’s Q Awards, celebrating the most inspirational guitar figure of 2018. The rocker, right, gets the gong after more than 20 years of making guitar-driven albums with the Scottish band.