STAR’S ALBUM LIGHTS UP CHARTS

SAM Smith is hoping his graft will pay off when his new album hits the chart next week.

But he’s been defying doctors orders along the way – by ignoring advice to quit the cigs.

Sam loves to relax with a fag even though he’s battled back from career-threatening vocal cord issues.

The Londoner has quit booze and is avoiding dairy, but cannot resist a cigarette.

He is poised to score an album chart number one with second CD The Thrill of It All this week.

He admitted: “I started smoking last year. I struggle with trying to stop. There was a bit of selfdestruction last year when I was smoking a lot. It’s on and off now.

“I am not drinking at the moment, which is really painful, and I am not eating cheese and no dairy.

“It is all about acid reflux, which is super-sexy. I’m doing that and I’m just resting.

“I cannot express enough it is difficult singing live. I do sing live and a lot of people don’t sing live.”

Sam can hit his high notes again thanks to having his voice repaired by a miracle laser treatment.

He feared that his career would be doomed after a series of ongoing bleeding issues with his cords in 2015.

However, the singer underwent a revolutionary laser procedure, which rather than cut cords, rejuvenates damaged tissue. Sam’s new album sold 35,000 on the first day of release with insiders predicting it will hit 80,000 by Friday.

Big numbers indeed, but maybe not quite as punchy as his label were expecting.

He’s considered up there with Adele and Ed Sheeran as one of the UK’s biggest stars but his sales are looking way down on both their records. Adele leads the race with

803,000 in the opening week for her

25, while Ed’s album ÷ is third on the all-time list with 672,000.

An insider said: “Sam will have a big number one album this week which has cemented his status as one of the UK’s bigger superstars, but sales are down on the 300,000 his team were hoping for.”