Morrissey's early life in Manchester to be 'turned into a film' with shooting set to commence at the 'end of the year'

The early life of former Smiths frontman Morrissey will reportedly be turned into a biopic, with filming set to commence at the end of the year.

The film will focus on the singer before he joined the group as he was growing up in Manchester, the BBC has said.

'It's as much a film for non-Morrissey fans as it is for die-hard devotees', director Mark Gill told the UK website on Friday.

Heading to the big screen: The early life of former Smiths frontman Morrissey, pictured performing at Glastonbury in 2011, will reportedly be turned into a biopic

'But I can't deny that this is a love letter to Steven Patrick Morrissey and the dark satanic mills of Manchester', he added.

Gill, who previously worked on The Voorman Problem with fellow Brit Martin Freeman, also told the BBC that his latest project would be 'more of a portrait than a conventional biopic'.

It is thought that the feature has been entitled Steven after the 54-year-old, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey.

Back in the day: The film will focus on the singer, pictured with Sandie Shaw in the 1980s, before he joined the group as he was growing up in Manchester, the BBC has said

The musician published his memories in October last year, which go into detail about his youth in Northern England, so there is much to draw on already in the public domain, The Hollywood Reporter commented.

MailOnline has contacted Morrissey's spokesman following these reports.

The news comes just two day after the star was ambushed onstage by an overeager fan in San Jose, California.

Portrait: 'It's as much a film for non-Morrissey fans as it is for die-hard devotees', director Mark Gill told the BBC on Friday

He was midway through an encore rendition of One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell when fans began to rush the stage to grab impromptu hugs.

The Seudehead artist appeared to graciously accept the profuse declarations of affection and continued singing.

Earlier in the evening Morrissey performed some new songs off of his forthcoming album, his first in more than five years.

He is signed once again with Universal Music, the company who released his 2008 album Years Of Refusal and whom he claimed in his book had given him a deal 'against their will' last time round.

Provisionally: It is thought that the feature has been entitled Steven after the 54-year-old, whose full name is Steven Patrick Morrissey

Read more:

• Morrissey biopic in development
• Morrissey Biopic in the Works