Songs by Sir Paul McCartney are set to appear on the forthcoming season of the hit US TV show Glee.

Creator Ryan Murphy told BBC News he was “go-smacked” when the former Beatle pitched for his music to be used on the programme.

"I received some fantastic mixed tapes from Paul McCartney a couple of weeks ago. I thought I was being punked!," Murphy said.

"It came out of blue in a package, handwritten, and it had two CDs and it said 'Hi Ryan, I hope you will consider some of these songs for Glee'.”

Meanwhile, Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle will make a guest appearance in a Christmas episode as a high school lunch lady.

The TV show, which tells the story of a fictional high school glee club, has already aired special episodes featuring the music of Lady Gaga and Madonna.

Coldplay's music is also set to star in a future episode.

(by Jason Gregory)