Duran Duran hook up with Timberlake

British band Duran Duran have confirmed a much-rumoured collaboration with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland.

A statement on the band's official website confirmed long standing rumours:

"[Duran Duran] recently met up with Justin and producer Timbaland to start work on new music for their next album on Epic/Sony Records," it read. "This association is still in the early stages and nothing is finished yet."

"The band are hoping to schedule more time together with both Justin and Timbaland over the coming weeks, between the dates they are doing in Eastern Europe and the US."

Duran Duran have amassed thirty Top 40 singles since their debut single 'Planet Earth' in 1981. Their most recent success came in January 2005 when 'What Happens Tomorrow' fell just short of the Top 10.

The 'Ordinary World' hitmakers will be hoping that this collaboration revitalises their commercial appeal in the same vein as Nelly Furtado's. Her 'Maneater' and 'Promiscuous' megahits were both Timbaland produced, with Timberlake popping up in the video for the former.

Timberlake is currently riding high in the UK charts, with his new album FutureSex/LoveSounds entering in first spot last Sunday.