Sam Smith always knew he would be successful.

The 22-year-old singer - who shot to fame after the release of his debut album 'In The Lonely Hour', which hit the top five in 11 countries worldwide - has revealed he always thought he would make it big because he has the drive but worries about the pressures of fame becoming too much.

He told The Sunday Times' Style magazine: ''I hate talking about it, because I feel really big-headed saying it, but I never doubted it would happen ... I have that sort of drive because I want it so bad. But it's hard to be soulful and driven.

''The more famous you get, the harder it's going to be to be open. That's when you get into the Amy Winehouse situation, when people just want to know all your business.

''I hate the idea of not being able to sit on this bench right now. I want to be like Meryl Streep. You never see her in the papers.''

However, the 'Stay With Me' hitmaker has admitted he likes having a fanbase because it makes him feel less ''lonely''.

He explained: ''They contact me on Twitter, Instagram, they write letters, they tell me their problems when they meet me.

''Recently I did a signing in New York and a girl came up to me. She was crying. She said I'd inspired her to come out to her family. Then, I started crying my eyes out too.

''Calling the album 'In The Lonely Hour' has definitely attracted other people who wear their hearts on their sleeves. It's nice. I don't feel so alone in my sadness anymore.''