Heather Small wants to work with Missy Elliott.
The M People frontwoman thinks the US rapper is “very good” and believes a collaboration would help push her out of her comfort zone.
Asked if she has any singing ambitions left to fulfill, Heather told Britain’s HELLO! Magazine: “I think I’ve got another duet in me. I’d love to work with Missy Elliot – she’s really very good.
“There are so many good people out there… somebody that would really push me to a different place.”
The 59-year-old star thinks her “greatest achievement” is to still be working now.
Speaking after receiving her MBE from Prince William, she said: “I always said I wanted to sing for a long time.
“I think my greatest achievement is that people will still come and pay to see me sing.
“I’ve done things for the Commonwealth Games, the Olympics, Oprah Winfrey – and there I am meeting Prince William.
“20 years ago, the late Queen was naming the Queen Mary 2 and I was there singing ‘Proud’, now her grandson is talking to me about the song. It’s full circle.”
While Heather received her honour for her charity work, she was pleased the prince wanted to talk to her about her music.
She said: “He was really warm and genuinely interested.
“He talked about M People and ‘Proud’, saying that it was an inspirational song that gave comfort, and it seemed very genuine.
“My family kept saying, ‘Well, he’s the right age group!’
“They have been singing ‘Proud’ now in schools and at many sporting events for a while, and they’re a sporty family.”
The ‘One Night in Heaven’ hitmaker admitted the accolade came as a surprise.
She said: “I was quite shocked, because I did get it for charitable work and not music.
“Somebody nominated me and I didn’t know, so it was quite a surprise and quite emotional.”