BEYONCE Knowles has been tipped to replace troubled Amy Winehouse in the battle to record the theme song for the new James Bond film Quantum Of Solace. Music industry insiders say the former Destiny’s Child singer has become firm favourite after first choice Amy fell off the rails.

Winehouse’s producer Mark Ronson had started working on the music for a possible 007 theme with the wayward singer – but they could not expand the track as they wanted to and the idea was shelved. Amy, who had a hit with Rehab, went to stay at Ronson’s home in Oxford-shire so they could record the track together. But he was so infuriated by her erratic behaviour – she is said to be a crack cocaine user – that he pulled the plug on their collaboration. He said: “We did work on it but we never finished it. I don’t think it will happen unless by some miracle it gets recorded and someone sings vocals. “I’m not sure Amy is ready to work on music yet.”

Winehouse was furious about Ronson’s comments but the pair recently made up at the Ivor Novello awards. Amy, 24, said: “I’ve done loads of Bond songs I’m really happy with. I don’t know what the problem is.” Her third album is on hold after she abandoned plans to record in the Bahamas. It is said she won’t release any new music before next year. But whether or not Beyonce, 26, records the theme will be down to Barbara Broccoli, daughter of the late Bond producer Cubby.

If she gets the green light, she may re­visit her successful partnership with British songwriter Amanda Ghost – who is writing songs for Beyonce’s next album, as well as that of Shakira, her co-performer on Beautiful Liar. Former 007 music mastermind John Barry, 74, is rumoured to contribute for the first time in two decades. He recorded the Dr No music in 1962 and co-wrote most of the themes for the first 25 years of the franchise.

Quantum Of Solace is due for release on October 31.