Sam Smith is ''getting broody''.

The 23-year-old singer has confessed he is desperate to become a father after meeting an adorable toddler at one of his shows.

Along with a photo of himself with the tot, he wrote on Instagram: ''Met the cutest kid in the world last night. Getting BROODY!! I can't wait to be a dad one day (sic).''

His desire to become a parent comes after it was revealed he went on several secret dates with British reality TV star Charlie King from the show 'The Only Way is Essex' earlier this year before they decided they had no chemistry, leaving the 'Stay With Me' hitmaker single.

A source told the Sun on Sunday newspaper: ''The pair went out together a number of times but always had to make sure they weren't spotted. They preferred going to low-key pubs in London or to Sam's apartment.''

''The pair hung out to discover if they were compatible. Friends have said nothing romantic happened because they decided they were better off as friends.

''They enjoyed each other's company as both are quite deep individuals. They deliberately never took any pictures together because they wanted to keep it under wraps.

''Sam's schedule is incredibly hectic, so their dates were very sporadic. They mutually decided it wasn't going to work.''