Sam Smith confirmed to sing 'inspirational' new James Bond theme for Spectre

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Washington Bureau Chief

Sam Smith has been confirmed to sing the theme tune for upcoming James Bond movie Spectre.

The multi-platinum selling singer has co-written "Writing's On the Wall" with fellow Grammy winner Jimmy Napes. It is the first James Bond theme recorded by a British male solo artist since Tom Jones did "Thunderball" in 1965.

Smith has described the prestigious job as "one of the highlights" of his career. "I am honoured to finally announce that I will be singing the next Bond theme song," he said.

"I am so excited to be a part of this iconic British legacy and join an incredible line-up of some of my biggest musical inspirations. I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I enjoyed making it."

Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson, Spectre producers, have called Smith's song "inspirational" and "surely one of the greatest Bond songs of all time".

Smith self-confirmed the news on Monday afternoon when he tweeted a black and white photo of himself wearing a ring with the SPECTRE octopus logo engraved into it.

He had previously denied rumours that he would perform the theme and instead hinted that Ellie Goulding was doing it.

Daniel Craig returns in the lead as secret agent 007, with Christoph Waltz playing the villain and Lea Seydoux and Monica Bellucci starring as Bond girls Madeleine Swann and Lucia Sciarra. Ralph Fiennes, Andrew Scott, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw also feature in the blockbuster, due in UK cinemas on 26 October.

The storyline follows Bond as he is sent on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome after receiving a cryptic message from the past. He infiltrates a secret meeting, unearths the existence of sinister organisation SPECTRE and must enlist the help of Madeleine to help him untangle its web. The daughter of an assassin, "she understands Bond in a way most others cannot".

Spectre will be the 24th Bond film, with past themes including Adele's Oscar-winning "Skyfall" in 2012, Chris Cornell's "You Know My Name" in 2006 and Shirley Bassey's "Goldfinger" back in 1964.