Washington correspondent Nico Hines exclusively revealed on The Times website that singer Beyoncé’s rendition of the national anthem at President Obama’s inauguration was pre-recorded. The story went viral in the US and was splashed across the front pages of newspapers across the country. Speaking to Press Gazette Hines said the story was a “simple” one. There had been rumours that the Marine Corps Band had not played their accompanying music live, so he phoned them up to ask about Beyoncé as well.