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Star-studded concerts have become a mainstay of royal celebrations, with Queen, Rod Stewart and Diana Ross all making an appearance for the Platinum Jubilee concert. 

Buckingham Palace has promised “global music icons and contemporary stars” for the King’s coronation concert.

Here’s everything we know so far about the concert.

When and where is the coronation concert?

The coronation concert is the highlight of the second day of coronation celebrations on Sunday 7 May and will start at 8pm.

It will be staged on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle, the first time a concert has been held in the grounds.

Who will be performing?

Take That, Katy Perry and Lionel Richie are among the acts who have been announced on the line-up.

Paloma Faith, Olly Murs, veteran rock guitarist Steve Winwood, and Nicole Scherzinger of The Pussycat Dolls will also perform.

Stella McCartney will give a spoken word performance on the theme of conservation, reflecting hers and the King’s shared passion for environmental sustainability.

The event will also include performances by Italian opera star, Andrea Bocelli; Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel; singer-songwriter Freya Ridings and classical-soul composer, Alexis Ffrench.

Ed Sheeran, Adele, Sir Elton John, Harry Styles and the Spice Girls all reportedly declined invitations to appear.

How does the ticket ballot work, and who will be in the audience?

The public ballot for tickets is now closed, and people are urged not to turn up in Windsor without a ticket.

The 10,000 tickets were allocated based on the geographical spread of the UK population.

Volunteers affiliated to the King and Queen Consort’s various charities will also be invited to join the audience.

The remaining tickets will be made available to charities including those who support young people, the military, the environment, their local communities and the wider Commonwealth.

I didn’t enter the ballot – how can I watch on TV?

The concert will be broadcast live on BBC One, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.

Kirsty Young will anchor the live coverage for BBC TV and BBC iPlayer, and Clara Amfo and Jordan Banjo will be backstage with the artists.

Read more:
The King’s coronation in pictures
What it was like being in Westminster Abbey for the coronation

People wrapped in Union Jack flags pose as they gather on The Mall ahead of a concert outside Buckingham Palace during Britain's Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, in London, Britain, June 4, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble

What about public screenings?

Big screens will show the concert at locations around the UK, including Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, and Bristol.

In London, the concert will be screened at St James’s Park, where thousands of people gathered on Saturday to watch the coronation ceremony live.

People will be able to access the screening site from 4pm, but broadcasting won’t kick off until 8pm. An accessible viewing area will also be available.

Will there be a repeat of the Paddington sketch?

Tom Cruise, Winnie the Pooh and Dame Joan Collins will appear in a series of pre-recorded sketches revealing little-known facts about the King.

The inclusion of beloved literary figure Winnie the Pooh suggests that there might be a moment of magic to match the late Queen sharing tea with Paddington Bear at the Platinum Party At The Palace.

Sir Elton John performs by video link during the BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace staged in front of Buckingham Palace, London, on day three of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II. Picture date: Saturday June 4, 2022.
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Sir Elton John performs by video link during the Platinum Party at the Palace. Pic: AP

How is the concert being staged?

The concert will feature a Union Flag-shaped stage.

The stage will be lit in red, white, and blue against the background of the east terrace of Windsor Castle.

It will fan out into the audience and have a halo-like screen surrounding the roof, which the BBC said will “symbolise the crown protecting the nation”.

A representation of the stage for the Coronation Concert
Image:
A representation of the stage for the Coronation Concert

Who else is performing?

There will also be performers from the Royal Ballet, the Royal Opera, the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal College of Music and the Royal College of Art.

The royal patronages will come together for the first time for a performance featuring Sex Education and Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa and Olivier Award nominee Mei Mac.

Based around themes of love and togetherness, the piece will combine music, dance, art, and theatre.

An arrangement of a classic song from West Side Story will be performed, with music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, performed by members of the Royal Opera Chorus.

Royal Ballet principal dancers Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambe will perform a bespoke piece of choreography for the occasion.

The visual backdrop projected onto Windsor Castle and the stage will showcase artworks by students from the Royal College of Art.

A string quartet of four Royal College of Music students will perform as soloists – Katherine Yoon and Betania Johnny on violin, Declan Wicks on viola and Marion Portelance, who will be playing a cello once owned and played by the King and now in the collection of The Royal College of Music.

The coronation choir will appear alongside a virtual choir, made up of singers from across the Commonwealth, for a special performance on the night.

The coronation choir will be created from amateur singers from across the UK, including refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf signing choirs.

A massive light display will form the centrepiece of the concert. Locations across the UK will be lit up using projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations.

The line-up will also include an orchestra, spoken word artists and performers from the world of dance and the arts.

Who’s hosting?

Downton Abbey’s Hugh Bonneville will set the scene for the evening’s entertainment and introduce the artists as they take to the stage.

The actor said: “I’m delighted to be taking part in this unique event, celebrating the best of musical entertainment in honour of His Majesty’s coronation.

“In true British style, come rain or shine, it will be a night to remember.”

To stay up-to-date with the coronation – including details like timings of the day, news, features, and analysis – bookmark our special coronation page for all the latest: skynews.com/coronation.

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Tulip Siddiq named in third Bangladesh inquiry into money laundering and power misuse

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Tulip Siddiq named in third Bangladesh inquiry into money laundering and power misuse

Former anti-corruption minister Tulip Siddiq has been named in a third inquiry being launched by authorities in Bangladesh investigating money laundering and power misuse.

At a media briefing in Dhaka held hours after Ms Siddiq resigned as a minister, investigators confirmed they were working on another probe involving the Labour MP.

It is the third Bangladesh inquiry and comes on top of questions about London properties she lives in or has lived in with links to her aunt, the ousted Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her Awami League party.

Director general of the Anti-Corruption Commission Akhtar Hossain told Sky News the organisation was “preparing another investigation against Tulip Siddiq and her uncle Tarique Siddique for money laundering, power misuse, and illegally occupying Bangladesh government property”.

Mr Hossain also said the investigation team in Bangladesh would contact the UK authorities if additional information was required.

A spokesperson for Ms Siddiq said: “No evidence has been presented for these allegations.

“Tulip Siddiq has not been contacted by anyone on the matter and totally denies the claims.”

More on Tulip Siddiq

Tarique Siddique is Ms Siddiq’s uncle – the husband of her mother’s younger sister – and previously served as a defence and security adviser to her aunt Sheikh Hasina.

Ms Hasina fled Bangladesh in August and resigned her post after 20 years amid weeks of deadly protests.

Read more: What allegations is Tulip Siddiq facing?

Tulip Siddiq with Sheikh Hasina in 2009. Pic: Reuters
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Tulip Siddiq with Sheikh Hasina in 2009. Pic: Reuters

The new government has since accused Ms Hasina’s Awami League administration of crimes and corruption while in office.

Ms Siddiq quit as anti-corruption minister on Tuesday after links with her aunt and her political regime came under scrutiny.

It is claimed she has benefited financially from three London properties linked to her aunt and her allies.

She referred herself to the prime minister’s standards adviser Sir Laurie Magnus who said he had “not identified evidence of improprieties” but added it was “regrettable” Ms Siddiq had not been more alert to the “potential reputational risks” of the ties to her aunt.

Ms Siddiq said continuing in her role would be “a distraction” for the government but insisted she had done nothing wrong.

Read more: Tulip Siddiq boasted of links with ousted Bangladesh PM

Tulip Siddiq (far left) with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina (third left), and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a 2013 signing ceremony in the Kremlin as Moscow lent $1.5bn to help build a nuclear power station. File pic: AP
Image:
Tulip Siddiq (far left) with her aunt, Sheikh Hasina (third left), and Russian President Vladimir Putin at a 2013 signing ceremony in the Kremlin as Moscow lent $1.5bn to help build a nuclear power station. File pic: AP

Earlier this week, Sky News revealed Bangladesh investigators were looking into Ms Siddiq as part of a separate corruption inquiry into the illegal allocation of land in a new town development outside of Dhaka.

She was also named in an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of $5bn (£3.9bn) from a nuclear power project in the country developed in partnership with Russia.

Labour sources suggested these accusations were not genuine and Ms Siddiq had not been contacted by anyone in Bangladesh about the inquiries.

Nobel peace-prize winning economist Muhammad Yunus, who is leading Bangladesh’s interim government, said the London properties used by Ms Siddiq should be investigated and returned if she is found to have benefited from “plain robbery”.

Following her resignation, Professor Yunus said there will be a thorough investigation into properties and assets “tied to stolen Bangladeshi funds, including those linked to individuals with connections to the previous regime” and if it is proven they have benefited from embezzlement “we expect those assets to be returned to Bangladesh, where they rightfully belong”.

“Tulip Siddiq may not have entirely understood the source of the money and property that she was enjoying in London, but she knows now and should seek forgiveness from the people of Bangladesh,” he added.

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Singer Linda Nolan dies ’embraced with love’ with siblings by her side

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Singer Linda Nolan dies 'embraced with love' with siblings by her side

Singer Linda Nolan, who rose to fame alongside her sisters in The Nolans, has died after several years of battling cancer.

The Irish star, 65, and her sisters Coleen, Maureen, Bernie, Denise and Anne, had a run of hits in the late 1970s and ’80s – including the disco classic I’m In The Mood For Dancing.

Paying tribute on The Nolans‘ X account, her sisters described her as “a pop icon and beacon of hope”, who “faced incurable cancer with courage, grace and determination, inspiring millions”.

Linda died peacefully in hospital this morning, “embraced with love and comfort” with her siblings by her side, her agent Dermot McNamara said in a statement.

“As a member of The Nolans, one of the most successful girl groups of all time, Linda achieved global success; becoming the first Irish act to sell over a million records worldwide, touring the world and selling over 30 million records,” he said.

“Her distinctive voice and magnetic stage presence brought joy to fans around the world, securing her place as an icon of British and Irish entertainment.

“Beyond her incredible career, Linda dedicated her life to helping others, helping raise over £20m for numerous charities, including Breast Cancer Now, Irish Cancer Society and Samaritans, amongst countless others. Her selflessness and tireless commitment to making a difference in the lives of others will forever be a cornerstone of her legacy.”

Linda Nolan, Anne Nolan, Bernie Nolan, Coleen Nolan, and Maureen Nolan.
Pic PA
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Five of the Nolans in 1983 (L-R): Linda, Anne, Bernie, Coleen and Maureen. Pic: PA

Linda’s death came after she was admitted to hospital with pneumonia over the weekend. She began receiving end-of-life care after slipping into a coma on Tuesday, Mr McNamara said.

Details of a celebration of the star’s “remarkable life” will be shared in due course, he added.

Linda was born to Tommy and Maureen Nolan in Dublin on 23 February 1959, the sixth of eight children.

Her parents were both singers and keen to turn their young family into a musical troupe. Linda made her stage debut aged just four.

Those early years put the siblings on track for a career in show business which lasted for decades. As well as I’m In The Mood For Dancing, The Nolans had hits with Gotta Pull Myself Together, Attention To Me and Don’t Make Waves, and they also had their own TV specials.

At their height, they toured with Frank Sinatra and were reported to have outsold The Beatles in Japan.

Linda left the group in 1983, but later reformed with her sisters for several comeback performances. She also became known for musical theatre, most notably performing the role of Mrs Johnstone in Blood Brothers for three years from 2000.

The Nolan Sisters, (left to right) Bernadette, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen
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L-R: Bernie, Denise, Linda (top), Anne and Maureen Nolan pictured in 1975, before youngest sister Coleen joined the group

Four siblings struck by cancer

Linda was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006, and underwent a mastectomy to remove her left breast two days before her 47th birthday.

After being given the all-clear in 2011, in 2017 she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. Three years later, Linda and Anne together revealed they were being treated for cancer once again.

The sisters were diagnosed with different forms of the disease just days apart after they returned home from filming a series of their show, The Nolans Go Cruising. Linda had cancer of the liver, while Anne had breast cancer.

Linda Nolan seen attending the Bold x Pink Ribbon Foundation Party in 2024.
Pic: Shutterstock
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The star, pictured last year, had battled cancer for several years. Pic: Shutterstock

They went on to write Stronger Together, an account of their journey that included frank details of their treatments and the side effects.

But in 2023, Linda revealed the cancer had spread to her brain and she was beginning treatment as part of a new drug trial.

The Nolans lost their second-youngest sister, Bernie, to cancer in 2013, aged 52.

Loose Women star Coleen Nolan also revealed she was diagnosed with skin cancer last year, and said she was using a chemotherapy cream to remove it.

Linda’s husband of 26 years, Brian Hudson, died in 2007 after being diagnosed with skin cancer.

Anne Nolan is now cancer-free.

Tributes to star ‘who was always a joy’

TV star and singer Cheryl Baker and comedian Tommy Cannon are among those who have paid tribute.

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Linda Nolan,” Cannon wrote on X. “I had the pleasure of working with her on so many occasions, and she was always a joy – full of warmth and love. My thoughts and love are with the Nolan girls and the whole family.”

“The most incredible voice, the wickedest sense of humour, such a massive talent,” Baker wrote. “You’re with Brian now, Lin.”

Loose Women also sent its love to her family. Linda appeared as a guest panellist on the ITV chat show over the years, alongside her sister Coleen.

The Blackpool Grand Theatre described her as “a true Blackpool icon”.

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Kelyan Bokassa: Three arrested after boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

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Kelyan Bokassa: Three arrested after boy, 14, stabbed to death on London bus

Two teenagers and a woman have been arrested after a 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death on a bus in southeast London.

Kelyan Bokassa was on the 472 service in Woolwich when he was attacked just before 2.30pm on Tuesday 7 January.

The teenager died at the scene shortly after medical help arrived.

Two boys, aged 15 and 16, were arrested on Wednesday on suspicion of murder, and a 44-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

All three remain in custody, the Metropolitan Police said.

Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Lee said: “While these arrests mark a significant step forward in this investigation, we continue to appeal for anyone with information about Kelyan’s murder to come forward and speak to us.

“I would like to thank officers for working around the clock in order to locate our suspects and praise the Woolwich community for their ongoing support and patience whilst we have carried out our investigation.

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“I know that this incident deeply affected you all, and I hope that these two arrests reassure you that we are doing everything to tackle violent offenders across London.”

Anti-knife campaigner Faron Paul. Pic: PA
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Anti-knife campaigner Faron Paul speaking during a vigil held for Kelyan last week. Pic: PA

The Metropolitan Police called the stabbing a “horrific attack”, while London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan said the “heartbreaking violence has absolutely no place in our city”.

Kelyan was an aspiring rapper, who was described as having “briefly” been a student at St Columbia’s Catholic Boys School in Bexleyheath.

Following his death, his mother Mary Bokassa described his troubled childhood to journalists.

She said he was taken into care, moved from school to school, and eventually fell into the clutches of criminal gangs.

Read more from Sky News:
Singer and TV personality Linda Nolan dies
Father denies murdering daughter during ‘play-fight’

Met Police officers were called to reports of a stabbing on a Route 472 bus at 2.28pm on 7 January on Woolwich Church Street, near its junction with the A205 South Circular Road.

Paramedics from the London Ambulance Service and London’s Air Ambulance attended the scene.

Police say Kelyan’s family are being supported by specialist officers as the investigation “remains ongoing”.

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