Ellie Goulding tipped for new Bond theme

Singer Sam Smith has denied reports suggesting he will perform the theme tune for the new James Bond movie “Spectre”, tipping Ellie Goulding to instead get the call from 007.

Appearing on Capital FM radio, Smith ruled himself out of the running to follow in the footsteps of luminaries such as Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey and Nancy Sinatra on the 24th official Bond movie.

“People seem to think I'm doing it but I have no idea what's going on,” he said. “I'm being deadly serious. I think I would know by now. I heard Ellie Goulding was going to do it, it's definitely not me.”

Smith was previously the favourite to sing the new theme tune, ahead of Ed Sheeran, Lana Del Rey, Rita Ora and One Direction. But bookmakers are no longer taking bets, suggesting that a decision has already been made at Bond production company Eon. Sheeran ruled himself out in December, suggesting that his voice was too “wet” and “lacked balls” to pull off a 007 theme tune.

“Spectre” stars Daniel Craig in his fourth outing as Bond. Double Oscar-winner Christoph Waltz plays likely villain Franz Oberhauser, and the cast also features newcomers Monica Bellucci, Léa Seydoux and Stephanie Sigman, as well as the returning Ralph Fiennes (as the new M), Naomie Harris (Moneypenny) and Ben Whishaw (Q). The new adventure, to be released on November 6, sees 007 visiting Mexico City, Rome and Sölden in the Austrian Alps.