Madonna to sing Bond theme

Madonna will not be making a cameo appearance

Madonna is to compose and perform the title song for the 20th James Bond film, Die Another Day.

Her name has been linked with the 007 adventure for weeks, but it was not clear until now whether or not she would sing the main theme.

Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said they were "thrilled" that Madonna would be recording the song.

The star was "recognised as the world's most exciting songwriter and performer", they said in a statement.

Halle Berry stars opposite Pierce Brosnan

Madonna joins a long line of famous names who have recorded songs for Bond films, including Paul McCartney, Tom Jones, Matt Monro, Shirley Bassey, Tina Turner and Nancy Sinatra.

Many of the songs from the early Bond movies have become classics including Bassey's Goldfinger, Monro's From Russia With Love and Sinatra's You Only Live Twice.

But more recent efforts, such as Tina Turner's Goldeneye, Sheryl Crow's Tomorrow Never Dies and A-Ha's The Living Daylights, have proved less enduringly popular.

Work on Die Another Day, which was until recently known simply by its working title, Bond 20, began in January at Pinewood Studios near London.

There had been rumours that Madonna might have a cameo in the film.

The singer's spokeswoman only put paid to speculation about a possible acting role last month.

Fourth time

Pierce Brosnan is making his fourth appearance as Bond, alongside co-star Halle Berry.

The Irishman has extended his contract to play Bond for a fifth time.

The latest film reportedly opens with a dramatic hovercraft chase in the demilitarised zone between North and South Korea.

The action then moves on to Hong Kong, Cuba, Iceland and London.

The film marks the 40th anniversary of the popular series which began in 1962 with Dr No, starring Sean Connery.