McCartney to play Olympic ceremony

Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed he will close the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London.

A performance by the former Beatle has long been rumoured and in January he disclosed he was in talks about taking part.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live Drive, he ended the speculation. "I've been booked," he said, adding that he would be "closing the opening".

A total cast of 15,000 will take part in the Olympic and Paralympic opening and closing ceremonies, which will be watched by an estimated worldwide audience of four billion people.

The full line-up of the opening ceremony on July 27 has yet to be announced.

Intended as a celebration showcasing the best of the host nation, it will feature a parade of all competing nations and the highly anticipated entrance of the Olympic flame, which ignites the cauldron and signals the start of the Games.

Meanwhile, a major Olympic Games opening concert coinciding with the opening ceremony will be headlined by 80s chart-toppers Duran Duran.

The band will represent musical talent from England, alongside Snow Patrol, representing Northern Ireland, Stereophonics for Wales, and Paolo Nutini who will play for Scotland.

The inclusion of Duran Duran prompted bemusement from some music fans.

The band - formed 34 years ago - have scored just two top 10 hits in the past two decades.