Bond's birthday: Adele song tops iTunes chart

An official poster for "Skyfall". Credit: MGM, Columbia Pictures

Adele's theme for the new Bond film "Skyfall" has shot to the top of the iTunes chart within hours of its release.

The track by the Tottenham-born singer is now being hotly tipped to become an official Number One on Sunday - which would make it the first Bond theme in history to reach the top of the charts.

The song, which was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in London with a 77-piece orchestra, saw Adele team up once more with Paul Epworth, who co-wrote and produced her massive hit "Rolling In The Deep".

Listen to the track below.

SKYFALL, XL RECORDINGS and SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Appropriately enough, the song was given its first full airing on Adele's website at 0:07 this morning, fifty years to the day since the first Bond film, "Dr No", was premiered.

To mark the anniversary, today has been dubbed "Global James Bond Day", and a special auction of James Bond memorabilia is also taking place at Christie's.

Props, like these poker chips from "Casino Royale" will go under the hammer. Credit: London Tonight.

It features at least one item from each of the 23 Bond films, from 1962's "Dr No" to the upcoming "Skyfall".

Many of the items have come from the archives of film company EON Productions and some have been donated by cast members themselves.

A 1/3 scale replica miniature of the Aston Martin used in Skyfall is expected to fetch up to £40,000 - and you can't even drive it! Credit: London Tonight.

Costumes, props and posters will all go under the hammer, including the tight-fitting swimming trunks worn by Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale", suits worn by Pierce Brosnan and Timothy Dalton, and even an Aston Martin used in "Quantum of Solace".

The swimming trunks worn by Daniel Craig in "Casino Royale" are expected to fetch up to £5,000. Credit: London Tonight

The new bond film "Skyfall", starring Daniel Craig, will get its premier on October 26.

Watch the trailer below.

More on this story from ITV London:

Compare Adele's song with some classic Bond themes.

Hear from the auctioneers at Christie's.

Explore more of the items that are up for auction.