X Factor’s Mary Byrne has reportedly started work on her debut album and the Dublin singer revealed that she will be assisted by experienced record producer Nigel Wright.

The Bristol recording guru has masterminded a number of platinum albums with recording artists as diverse as Madonna, Shakatak, Mezzoforte, Barbra Streisand, Boyzone, Sonia, Take That, Sinitta, José Carreras, Robson & Jerome, Michael Ball, Sarah Brightman, Cliff Richard, Connie Fisher, Paul Potts, Andy Abraham and Ray Quinn.

Talking about her new record, 51 year old Mary told the Irish Independent:

“Nigel’s worked with Madonna on the film soundtrack for Evita. He’s done all the soundtrack albums for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musicals. But what most impressed me was he’s recorded Shirley Bassey who is my all-time hero.”

Byrne will put the finishing touches to her album later this month and revealed that all of the songs have been chosen by her mentor Louis Walsh. Insiders say that songs by Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield and James Browns’s ‘It’s A Man’s Man’s Man’s World’ will make the final release.

“Louis has a great track record on picking songs, he will have the final word,” Mary added.