7:01pm UK, Thursday March 21, 2002

Madonna will record the theme for the 20th James Bond movie after she had earlier reportedly pulled out of the project.

SL madonna

Madonna: Back into the groove

The superstar will follow in the footsteps of Shirley Bassey, who recorded three 007 theme songs, and Nancy Sinatra, who sang the classic hit You Only Live Twice and modern acts Garbage and Sheryl Crow.

The news effectively buries reports that Madonna insisted on a cameo role in the film - and then pulled out.

Producers Michael Wilson and Barbara Broccoli said the 'Material Girl' would indeed be composing and performing the title track in the next Bond movie, Die Another Day.

Tribute album

In a statement they said: "We are thrilled that Madonna has agreed to compose and sing the song for the first James Bond movie of the new millennium."

John Barry composed the music for many of the Bond movies.

His role has since been taken by David Arnold - who also compiled a Bond tribute album.

The latest Bond flick will see Pierce Brosnan return as the superspy, with Halle Berry as bad girl Jinx and Judi Dench as M.