London 2012 Olympics: Classic ending planned for Games

Published on 09/08/2012 13:59

The Olympic Games closing ceremony will reflect the nation as a whole, according to the man in charge of the music.

Composer David Arnold, who has written music for Bond films and the hit BBC show Sherlock, said Sunday’s ceremony would be based around 30 classic pieces of British music.

He told the Daily Telegraph: “What we’ve left out is simple, we’ve left out every piece of British music that has ever been written, apart from these 30. So there are huge exclusions, great artists we haven’t squeezed in, but everything we have is worthy of being there.”

Dozens of names including The Who, The Spice Girls, Ray Davies and reclusive star Kate Bush have been rumoured to be performing.

George Michael has said he will appear, telling fans he was “rehearsing like crazy for the Olympic closing ceremony”, and Muse have also said they will play.

Take That have been widely tipped to appear, although singer Gary Barlow’s presence is in doubt after his daughter Poppy was stillborn.

It is also reported the event will feature models of London landmarks including Tower Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral.

Arnold, who is musical director for the event, said: “We’re trying to have moments where someone from the Cotswolds watching it on TV and someone from a tower block overlooking it in the East End will be able to find something in it of which they can say ‘that’s us, really that’s Britain’.”