It certainly sounds like a glow plug problem. Clouds of black smoke means unburnt fuel.
There is a relay for the glow plugs (and an 80 amp fuse built into the relay), located in the ECU box at the back of the battery.
You can test the glow plugs in situ with a multimeter to see if power is switched on to them when the bulb is lit.
Check the tracks on the relay to see if there is any corrosion or burning.
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