Former X-Factor winner Leona Lewis and footballer David Beckham will help close this years Olympic Games in Beijing, according to reports.

Their participation in the ceremony, which will be watched by an estimated 150million people, will mark the official handover to Britain ahead of London 2012.

Lewis, who last month became the first British-born artist since Phil Collins in 1990 to score an American chart double, is expected to sing at the event.

A spokesperson for London 2012 told the Sunday Mirror that both Lewis and Beckham “epitomise” the Olympic spirit, adding that they would “sprinkle some stardust on the show.”

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and London Mayor Boris Johnson are also expected at the event on August 24th.

(by Jason Gregory)