A host of the nation’s favourite stars have been announced to perform at a concert to mark the 70th anniversary of VE Day. Status Quo, Katherine Jenkins and West End star Elaine Paige will perform at the event. It is set to be one of the highlights of a three-day commemoration of the end of the Second World War, running from Friday, May 8 to Sunday, May 10. Concert: Status Quo will perform at the event marking the 70th anniversary of VE Day. Members Rick Parfitt (pictured left) and Francis Rossi (right) Katherine Jenkins will be West End star Elaine Paige, boy band Blue, R&B singer Jamelia, pop star Pixie Lott, jazz vocalist Gregory Porter and tenor Alfie Boe . Other stars include boy band Blue, R&B singer Jamelia, pop star Pixie Lott, jazz vocalist Gregory Porter and tenor Alfie Boe. The 1940s-themed concert will take place on Saturday 9 and will be broadcast on BBC1, hosted by Chris Evans. The singers will be joined by four Strictly Come Dancing couples and readings from Pointless host Alexander Armstrong and Absolutely Fabulous actress Jane Horrocks. The extensive commemoration is a victory for the Daily Mail which highlighted growing concerns that the anniversary risked being overshadowed by the election on May 7. Singer Dame Vera Lynn, the 98-year-old Forces’ Sweetheart, was among those who called on the Government to do more to mark the occasion. It is likely to be the last major anniversary which will be attended in strength by the generation that fought at home and abroad during the war. David Cameron asked Cabinet minister William Hague in February to draw up plans for three days of national commemorations and last month Chancellor George Osborne earmarked up to £2million in the Budget towards marking the event. The timing of the anniversary makes it even more of an extraordinary occasion, starting the day after a general election which is likely to result in another hung Parliament. The 1940s-themed concert will also include readings from Pointless host Alexander Armstrong (left) and Absolutely Fabulous actress Jane Horrocks (right) Ministers and their shadows are likely to gather for celebrations not knowing for sure who will be in power of the country after coalition negotiations. The three-day commemoration will begin with a Service of Remembrance on VE Day (May 8) at The Cenotaph and a national two-minute silence at 3pm, marking the moment Winston Churchill broadcast his historic speech formally announcing the end of the war in 1945. A chain of more 100 beacons will be lit across the country in the evening. Ahead of the star-studded concert on the Saturday, sports fans will honour the day with clapping and singing during fixtures and cathedrals are encouraged to ring their bells in celebration at 11am. On the Sunday there will be a Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey attended by The Queen, followed by a parade to St James’s Park, where the Royal British Legion will host a lunch reception for 2,000 veterans. People across the country are encouraged to host street parties and deck out homes and community halls with bunting to recreate the celebrations of 70 years ago. Tickets for the concert ‘VE Day 70: A Party to Remember’ are on sale from 8am today for £36.75 on websites Live Nation or Ticketmaster.
Concert will be part of the three-day commemoration of end of WWII.
Status Quo, Katherine Jenkins and boy band Blue are set to perform.
There will be a Service of Remembrance on VE Day at The Cenotaph.