LONDON, UK, July 4, 2011 --  Today on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, Chris Evans announced that Lionel Richie will be headlining Radio 2 Live In Hyde Park in what will be an exclusive UK performance for the star for 2011.

And in what promises to be a star-studded line-up, Jools Holland and his band will also be performing with special guests Sandie Shaw and Ruby Turner, and Chris will be announcing further fantastic acts in the line-up throughout the month.

This special concert in central London, "A Festival In A Day", is a must for every Radio 2 listener, celebrates the best of the station's music with one special day of live performances from a starry array of top UK and international artists.

This unmissable event will be hosted by Chris Evans who will be joined on stage by his Radio 2 colleagues and takes place on Sunday 11 September 2011. Lionel Richie – who has sold over 100 million albums – will be performing with the BBC Concert Orchestra. He will be singing his classic hits as well as tracks from his new album of duets with some of the world's biggest country music stars.

Lionel began his singing career with the Commodores in 1968 and went on to achieve phenomenal success as a solo artist achieving eight top ten albums and eight top ten singles in the UK, including a Number One record for Hello, as well as being instrumental in the formation of USA for Africa and the number one single We Are The World. He also received an Oscar for Say You Say Me which he wrote and performed for the film White Nights.

Jools Holland, who returns with his regular Radio 2 series later in the summer, is pianist and band leader of his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. They will perform with Ruby Turner, one of the UK's finest soul singers, and pop icon Sandie Shaw. Sandie shot to fame in the Sixties with a string of hit records, including reaching number one with Always Something There To Remind Me aged just 17, and became the UK's first Eurovision winner with Puppet On A String.

Chris Evans said: "Radio 2's Hyde Park shows are without a doubt one of the highlights of my year – a beautiful location, an astounding line-up of world class artists including superstar Lionel Richie, and thousands of the great British public coming together to enjoy themselves. What could be better, so come and join the Radio 2 party."

From 3.30pm on the day there will be live coverage of the event on Radio 2 from Hyde Park hosted by among others, Johnnie Walker and Jo Whiley. The broadcast will feature exclusive backstage interviews as well as the very best in live music from the stage.

Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes, said: "Music is at the heart of Radio 2's output, and with an incredible line-up to be announced in coming weeks, there will be something for everyone at this year's Hyde Park show. And with Lionel Richie headlining the whole event, its a great way to end the summer in style."

For a week afterwards, listeners will be able to hear highlights from the concert across the station's daytime shows. And the Radio 2 website will feature exclusive backstage footage and interviews from the event.

In 2010 Elvis Forever was an unforgettable tribute which featured a special appearance by Priscilla Presley and performances from Sir Tom Jones and Tony Christie. And in 2009, Kylie led an incredible tribute with Thank You For The Music – A Celebration Of The Music Of Abba. Now in its third year, Radio 2 Live In The Park will be another fantastic day of live music.

Event Information:

Sunday 11 September 2010 – Hyde Park, London 
Gates open 2.30pm – entertainment on stage from 3.30-10pm
Tickets cost £32.50 plus booking fees

For full ticketing information, go to the Radio 2 website.