Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed that he will be closing the opening ceremony for this year's Olympic Games.

The Beatle had been previously mooted to play some sort of role in the ceremony, but he told BBC 5 Live that he is scheduled to perform at the opening on July 27.

He told the radio station that he has "been booked" and that he will be "closing the opening".

The BBC reports that an estimated four billion people will be watching the London opening ceremony on television, with 15,000 taking part in the Olympic and Paralympic ceremonies.

McCartney meanwhile closed last night's (June 4) Diamond Jubilee Concert in London, leading a sing-a-long before some emphatic fireworks rounded off the performance.