Lionel Richie has expressed his desire to work with a host of UK acts, including Duffy, The Ting Tings and Coldplay.

The veteran singer said he was inspired by the current crop of British talent - and also signalled his intention to work with Irish band U2.

“I love Duffy, whom I’ve just discovered – does she write her own stuff? If she does we’re on fire because she’s great,” he told the Daily Star newspaper.

“I like The Ting Tings, I love Coldplay and U2. I want to work with them, let me put it out there.”

“Your diversity gives me inspiration and makes me say ‘I wanna try that’.”

Richie, who is on a UK tour, said he was a fan of British music because you “still experiment, you don’t get stuck in one rut”.

(by Jason Gregory)