McCartney to make Oscars debut

Sir Paul (r) with Wings, who played Live and Let Die

Oscar-tipped musician Sir Paul McCartney is preparing to make his debut performance at the Academy Awards.

He will sing his award-nominated song Vanilla Sky, from the film of the same name, at the 74th Oscars on Sunday.

Sir Paul will join fellow Britons Sir Ian McKellen and Dame Maggie Smith, who have been added to the all-star line-up of presenters for the ceremony, to be held at the Kodak Theater in Los Angeles.

Click here to see Oscar nominee Tom Wilkinson answer BBC News Online users' questions.

The former Beatle is no stranger to the Oscars, having won a best film soundtrack award with his old group in 1970 for Let It Be.

Dame Maggie Smith: Nominated for an Oscar

He was also nominated with his post-Beatles band Wings for an Oscar in 1973 for the song Live and Let Die, written for the classic James Bond screen adventure.

Sir Ian is tipped to win best supporting actor this year for his performance as the wizard Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings.

Dame Maggie is nominated for the best supporting actress award for her portrayal of an acidic aristocrat in veteran director Robert Altman's Gosford Park.

They are due to share presenting duties with US stars John Travolta, Nathan Lane, Helen Hunt, best actress nominee Halle Berry and Australian actor Hugh Jackman.

The main host for the evening will be Whoopi Goldberg, who last presented the awards in 1999.

Handbags for all

Presenters and performers get a £14,000 goody bag of presents and vouchers for their troubles.

The bag will contain a £1,000 watch, and a £280 handbag from American designer CJ & Me.

It will also offer vouchers for a reclining chair worth up to £1,400, and a bed - in any size from single to king - valued at anything between £700 and £1,200.

The Oscars ceremony is broadcast live on BBC Two on Monday 25 March from 0045-0500 GMT and reported live on BBC News Online.