By Lucy Needham
Radio 2 In The Park will travel to Preston for the 2024 event, it has been announced.
BBC Radio 2's flagship live music festival will take place in Moor Park in the Lancashire city on September 7 and 8. The news was revealed by Gaby Roslin on Wednesday's Radio 2 Breakfast Show as she filled in for Zoe Ball following the death of Ball's mother, who had been diagnosed with cancer.
The full artist line-up for the event will be revealed in early June. Helen Thomas, head of Radio 2, said: "I'm delighted that this year's Radio 2 In The Park will take place in Preston. Following last year's epic extravaganza in Leicester, we can't wait to head north with our fantastic family of Radio 2 presenters, as well as some of the most loved music artists on the planet, to party with the good people of Lancashire!"
Adrian Phillips, chief executive at Preston City Council, said: "We are absolutely delighted to welcome the BBC to Preston with Radio 2's flagship live music event, Radio 2 In the Park. As this year's host city, we're really excited to be staging two jam-packed days, full of incredible live performances from some of the music world's biggest stars."
"This is a brilliant coup for Preston and will be a huge boost for the city. We can't wait to hear who the line-up is for this year and to welcome thousands of Radio 2 listeners to proud Preston!" Radio 2 In The Park was held in Leicester in 2023 and featured Tears For Fears, Kylie Minogue, Texas, James Blunt, Busted, Rick Astley and Simply Red.
The event was due to be held in Leeds in September 2022, but it was cancelled following the death of the Queen. Preston has a history of hosting BBC live events, with BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend being held in Moor Park in 2007.
Radio star Gaby announced the big news after filling in for Zoe, who recently announced the death of her beloved mother Julia. Gaby paid tribute to Julia and sent her love to Zoe. "It's no secret Zoe has been off for a little while looking after her mum, Julia" Gaby said as she opened the show just hours after Zoe's social media statement.
"Very sadly, Julia lost her fight yesterday and we're all obviously sending so much love to Zoe and the whole family," Gaby continued. "It's a horrible, awful time - and I know so many of you have been through this, loving a parent and a loved one, and I think the one thing I'd like to pass on is, grief has no rule. There are no rules about this at all."
Gaby then told her friend: "Zoe, you know I have got your back - I'll always have your back. I love you dearly, you're a very dear friend and all of us on the team love you and send you so much love. And to anybody else who is fighting the fight and being as brave as they can be, I am sending you lots of love as well."
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
