Elbow named as band to pen Olympic soundtrack

The five-piece act, who hail from Bury, are writing a specially-commissioned piece of music ahead of next year’s big event.

Frontman Guy Garvey said: “We have feelings of real responsibility as we will be the soundtrack to so many images of personal sacrifice and endeavour while the nation roots for and celebrates with Team GB.”

The band won the prestigious Mercury Prize in 2008 for album The Seldom Seen Kid and were shortlisted again this year for new release Build A Rocket Boys!.

The announcement comes as the BBC unveiled its plan for the accompanying London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad. Its plans include a season of Shakespeare plays, and documentaries about artists including David Hockney and Lucian Freud. A series of films about London will feature contributions from Absolute Beginners filmmaker Julien Temple and Jools Holland, who will uncover the capital’s history through its songs.

Downton Abbey star Michelle Dockery is to join a stellar cast for the BBC’s Shakespeare season.

The actress, who plays Lady Mary Crawley in the hit ITV1 costume drama, will play Lady Percy in Henry IV. Other stars in the cast include Jeremy Irons, Julie Walters and Maxine Peake.

Films of Richard II and Henry V are also being made as part of the BBC’s contribution to the London 2012 Festival and the Cultural Olympiad.