Sir Paul McCartney has confirmed the long anticipated online release of The Beatles back catalogue is “ready to go”.

McCartney has been negotiating with iTunes for some time to release the Fab Four’s songs, which have never previously been available online.

However, he now confirms, “It's happening soon. The whole thing is primed - ready to go.”

The deal is expected to personally net McCartney £200 million.

Following his statement bookies slashed the odds of Beatles tracks hitting the number one spot, with one leading company making Hey Jude favourite at 4/1.

You can also get 8/1 on sixties style charts domination, and the Beatles occupying every position in the Top Ten.

(by C Taylor)