Take That, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry will perform for King's Coronation

14 April 2023 , 20:59

600 0

Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie will lead the performers at the Coronation Concert to celebrate the crowning of the King and Queen Consort, the BBC has announced.

The line-up will also include Italian opera singer Andrea Bocelli, Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer Alexis Ffrench, with more acts yet to be announced.

The event, on May 7, will be held in the grounds of Windsor Castle in front of a crowd of 20,000, will be broadcast across BBC TV and radio.

The BBC said Take That's performance will feature three of the original members, Gary Barlow, Howard Donald and Mark Owen and also offer the chance for Robbie Williams and Jason Orange to rejoin for a one-off reunion.

The group have performed at many Royal Variety Performances over the years, with Barlow also curating the concert outside Buckingham Palace for the late Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 2012. Barlow, Donald and Owen said: "This will be our first live show since the Odyssey Tour, four years ago in 2019, and what a stage to come back on.

Happy Valley's Clare's death 'confirmed' after tragic final exchange with sister

Take That, Lionel Richie and Katy Perry will perform for King's Coronation

Lionel Richie says he is honoured to play (PA)

"A huge live band and orchestra, a choir, military drummers, the backdrop of Windsor Castle and the celebration of a new King. We can't wait."

Perry, regarded as one of the biggest pop stars in the world having produced a string of number one albums, said she is "excited" to perform at the concert.

Katy Perry (Getty Images for Norwegian Cruise Line)

Katy with Charles in 2020 (PA)

Alongside her musical success, which includes a Super Bowl performance and a Las Vegas residency, she is also an ambassador for The British Asian Trust, a charity founded by the King when he was Prince of Wales, due to her commitment to other global charities including Unicef and her own Firework Foundation.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Richie added that it was an "honour" to celebrate the coronation. The Grammy, Oscar and Golden Globe winner was also appointed The Prince's Trust's first global ambassador and is the chairman of the Global Ambassador Group.

English singer-songwriter Freya Ridings (PA)

Composer, producer and pianist Alexis Ffrench (PA Wire/PA Images)

During the concert, Bocelli and Sir Bryn will perform a duet of an "iconic song of love and collective solidarity".

North London singer Ridings will perform a duet with classical composer, producer and pianist Ffrench.

Welsh bass-baritone opera singer Sir Bryn Terfel (PA)

The centrepiece of the concert will be Lighting Up The Nation, where locations across the UK will light up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

BBC boss Charlotte Moore said: "We are bringing the nation together for this once-in-a-generation occasion, broadcast exclusively across the BBC live from Windsor Castle.

"We have a world class line-up of performers to look forward to for what promises to be a very special night of celebration and entertainment."