When the BBC announced a new adaptation of Watership Down, they described it as a retelling of a “timeless” story.

But the famous theme music from the 1978 film, Simon and Garfunkel’s Bright Eyes, has not proved to be so enduring.

It will not accompany the forthcoming BBC One film, to be broadcast in two parts this Christmas. Instead, there will be a new song performed by Sam Smith, whose theme for the last Bond film divided opinion.

Smith, once described by a Telegraph critic as sounding like a drowning gannet, has written and recorded a song called Fire On Fire with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

“I hope everyone loves it as much as I do,” Smith said. “I am so excited and honoured to be a part of this new adaptation of Watership Down.”

Smith won a Golden Globe for Writing’s On The Wall, theme to the 2015 Bond film, Spectre. The song went on to win a Golden Globe award and an Oscar.