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Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2 today announced that Take That's Gary Barlow will headline Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park this Sunday 11 September.

Gary says: "It's a pleasure to step in last minute and cover for Mr Richie. Chris (Evans) called me and said Lionel had had to pull out because he was ill and they had a hole in the show, so I was more than happy to help out."

Gary Barlow is best known and loved by millions for being a member of Take That, one of the UK's most popular chart-toppers who have enjoyed phenomenal success during the last 20 years, recently reuniting bigger, better and more popular than ever. One of the UK's greatest songwriters, among the classic songs that Take That have penned include Patience, Rule The World, The Flood, Back For Good, A Million Love Songs and Pray.

With the addition of former band member Robbie Williams, Take That played a record breaking UK tour this summer including an unprecedented eight sell-out nights at Wembley Stadium. Gary additionally enjoyed solo success in the mid-Nineties with hits including Love Won't Wait and Forever Love. Gary has also joined the current series of ITV's The X Factor as chief judge. This Sunday's show will be his first live performance since Take That's European tour ended in July.

Chris Evans said: "What an incredible line-up – thanks to super-sub Gary Barlow, who is now the icing on what was already a pretty special cake! It promises to be a terrific day of entertainment at Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park! If you can't be there in person, soak up the atmosphere by listening to the action as it happens on Radio 2."

Today's announcement follows yesterday's news that Lionel Richie unfortunately had to cancel his performance due to ill health. Also announced yesterday was the news that disco superstars Chic were confirmed to entertain the thousands of fans coming to London's Hyde Park.

Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes at Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 2, said: "We are thrilled that Gary Barlow and Chic are now joining us in Hyde Park this Sunday. Gary's a huge favourite with Radio 2 listeners and Chic are unique disco legends. We at Radio 2 are saddened for both Lionel and his fans that he has had to pull out and we wish him a speedy recovery. The concert will be a fantastic celebration and it promises to be an afternoon and evening to remember."

Chic, the original good time party-groovers behind some seminal disco anthems formed in New York in the mid-Seventies. Their classic hits defined the disco generation and include Le Freak, Good Times, My Forbidden Lover, Everybody Dance and I Want Your Love. In the Eighties, the influential group continued to write and produce albums for some of the biggest names of the decade including David Bowie, Madonna, Diana Ross and Duran Duran. Chic – with Nile Rodgers at the helm – have continued to tour and are guaranteed to get the Hyde Park crowd "dance, dance, dancing" and having "good times"!

Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park will also feature performances by Lenny Kravitz, Will Young, James Blunt, Beverley Knight, Imelda May, Bellowhead, Jools Holland with Sandie Shaw and Ruby Turner, Caro Emerald, The Pierces and Jonathan Jeremiah. Radio 2's Chris Evans, Jeremy Vine, Vanessa Feltz, Richard Allinson, Craig Charles, Tony Blackburn, Trevor Nelson, Huey Morgan and Bob Harris will be on presenting duties for the day.

Tickets are still available and can be purchased from See Tickets with further ticket outlet information available via the .

Weekend Wogan will broadcast live from Hyde Park on Sunday between 11am-1pm, featuring interviews from some of the day's performers.

And from 3.30pm on Radio 2 on Sunday, there will be live coverage from Hyde Park hosted by among others Johnnie Walker and Jo Whiley. The broadcast will feature exclusive backstage interviews as well as live music from the stage.

For a week afterwards, listeners will be able to hear highlights from the concert across the station's daytime shows. And the Red Button and Radio 2 website will feature highlights from the day.

Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park
Sunday 11 September 2010, Hyde Park, London
Gates open 2.30pm – entertainment on stage from 3.30-10pm
Tickets cost Β£32.50 plus booking fees
For full ticketing information go to the

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