LONDON, Aug 11: Pop will take the podium when London bids farewell to the Olympics on Sunday, with a closing ceremony starring the Spice Girls, Annie Lennox, One Direction and a peculiarly British sense of humour.

Undeterred by criticism that the opening ceremony two weeks ago was too British for the rest of the world to comprehend fully, the organisers are looking for local inspiration once again as they attempt to deliver a fitting send-off.

The prying eyes of the media and artists unable to contain their excitement have dashed all hopes of keeping the cast a secret, in a show titled “A Symphony of British Music”.

Virtually confirming their participation after months of speculation, 90s chart-toppers the Spice Girls are reuniting for a nostalgic blast of “Girl Power”, performing at the main Olympic Stadium from on top of London’s distinctive black taxis.

They, along with Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Queen guitarist Brian May, Annie Lennox and George Michael, have all been photographed rehearsing at the Ford car plant in East London’s Dagenham, while Muse and Ed Sheeran revealed they will sing.

Still not confirmed but widely rumoured to be joining them are Madness, The Who and Liam Gallagher’s band Beady Eye, while the reclusive “Running Up That Hill” singer Kate Bush could perform on video.

Monty Python comic Eric Idle was also spotted, and, bearing in mind music director David Arnold’s promise to get the audience involved, a mass singalong of “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” could be a decent bet.

Once again the set is expected to comprise a central stage surrounded by a road around which vehicles can travel, and a cast of around 4,000 volunteers will dance and skip to the beat of music through the ages.

Famous London landmarks like Tower Bridge, the London Eye, parliament’s “Big Ben” Clock Tower and St Paul’s Cathedral have been reconstructed for the action.

“If the opening ceremony was the wedding, then we’re the wedding reception,” Arnold said in a newspaper interview, suggesting that the two ceremonies would complement each other.—Reuters