The Tyne Bridge and Gateshead Millenium Bridge are to share the national spotlight during live coverage of the Coronation Concert on Sunday having been picked to feature in a stunning light show.
The iconic bridges are among the specially-chosen locations to feature in a live sequence which will show famous landmarks, beauty spots and also street parties around the country connect through a dazzling light display during the concert's broadcast. News of seven locations was announced this Tuesday and three others will be revealed only during the concert itself.
The concert, continuing the celebrations of His Majesty King Charles lll's Coronation on Saturday, is set to see stars Lionel Richie, Take That and Katy Perry entertain crowds of around 20,000 members of the public and invited guests at Windsor Castle and the BBC, which will be broadcasting all the action live, says that the Lighting up the Nation moment will see the country "unite in celebration" as the UK "comes to life like never before with projections, lasers, drone displays and illuminations".
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Newcastle and Gateshead riverside will 'connect' with Blackpool, Sheffield, Belfast, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Cornwall's The Eden Project and the BBC added: "Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge and Gateshead’s Millennium Bridge will be lit up creating beautiful reflections in the water in front of an audience gathered from Baltic Quay to Gateshead Quayside."
The Tyne Bridge is already one of the local landmarks set to be illuminated in red, white and blue during the Coronation. Others include Newcastle Civic Centre and Durham Cathedral. A specially-erected big screen in Times Square will be showing both Saturday's Coronation service and the next day's concert, meaning that Sunday's viewers can watch nearby scenes from their home city at the same time.
The Lighting up the Nation part of the concert will be accompanied by actor James Nesbitt reading a poem - written specially for the occasion by Daljit Nagra, chairman of the Royal Society of Literature - and Paloma Faith singing one of her hits. Viewers will see 10 locations linked in total, including the three surprise sites, at the event produced by BBC Studios. Here are the ones revealed so far,
Lighting up the Nation
Blackpool - a choreographed lighting display will envelope the town's most well-known seafront attractions. Members of the public will be invited to a viewing party in front of the Blackpool Tower.
Sheffield Town Hall - this is set to showcase a 'spectacular light-up moment' for a community gathering in the Peace Gardens.
Newcastle and Gateshead - the Tyne Bridge and Millennium Bridge will be lit up creating 'beautiful reflections' in the river watched by people around Baltic Quay and Gateshead quayside.
Belfast - a 'memorable light show' is set to be created for viewers to enjoy at home.
Edinburgh - a public event will take place in Princes Street Gardens.
Cornwall - a stand-out drone show will light up the sky at the Eden Project with multi-colour treats in store for viewers at home and an audience of specially-invited local volunteers, including people who organise Big Lunches for their communities.
Cardiff - another drone display, this one will illuminate the night sky above Wales Millennium Centre, bringing the building to life. A public event also will be hosted on the nearby Roald Dahl Plass.
Catherine Catton, head of commissioning, factual, entertainment and events at the BBC, said: “The Lighting up the Nation sequence promises to be a truly spectacular part of the Coronation Concert. With stunning light shows illuminating some of our most iconic locations, alongside performances from James Nesbitt and Paloma Faith, this is going to be a very special moment for people all across the country to come together in celebration.”
The Coronation Concert will broadcast live on May 7 from 8pm on BBC1, BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds.
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