The search is on for an actress to play singer Dusty Springfield in a film that is being made of her life.

The movie, based on a biography of the star known for her soulful voice and trademark beehive hairdo, will follow her career and turbulent private life which saw her battle against drink and drugs.

Executive producer Dominick Fairbanks said Springfield’s former backing singer and friend Simon Bell would work as a consultant on the film.

He said: “Simon’s close friendship and intimate knowledge of Dusty’s life will be invaluable in the making of this film.

“We will announce our writer and director very shortly, and the search is on for the actress to play Dusty. This is a fabulous part for any actress and we are looking both sides of the Atlantic at the moment.”

Springfield, who died of breast cancer aged 59 in 1999, started her career in a folk group with her brother Tom before going solo.

Openly bisexual, she had a string of hits in the 1960s including the number one You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me and went to the US to record the critically acclaimed Dusty in Memphis album.

She enjoyed a comeback in the late 1980s when she teamed up with the Pet Shop Boys and was awarded an OBE shortly before her death.