BBC Radio 2 Live festival called off after death of the Queen

Julia Hunt
·Contributor
Updated ·2 min read
A general view of the stage at BBC Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park, London.
The BBC Radio 2 Live has been cancelled after the Queen's death. (PA)

BBC Radio 2 Live has been called off following the Queen's death as "a mark of respect".

The music festival was due to take place in Leeds on 17 and 18 September, with Robbie Williams and Kaiser Chiefs among the big acts on the bill.

However, it has been cancelled after the monarch passed away this week at the age of 96.

Read more: Harry Styles leads New York concert audience in applause for the Queen

A tweet from BBC Radio 2 said: "Following the very sad news of the death of Her Majesty The Queen, as a mark of respect, BBC Radio 2 Live in Leeds will now not take place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th September.

"Ticket holders will be issued with refunds via the ticket provider."

The event usually takes place in Hyde Park in London but it had moved to Temple Newsam in Leeds this year.

As well as Williams and Kaiser Chiefs, the line-up included Simple Minds, Nile Rodgers and Chic and Tears For Fears.

Singer-songwriter George Ezra was also due to take to the stage.

FILE - Queen Elizabeth II stands on the balcony during the Platinum Jubilee Pageant at the Buckingham Palace in London, Sunday, June 5, 2022, on the last of four days of celebrations to mark the Platinum Jubilee. Buckingham Palace says Queen Elizabeth II is under medical supervision as doctors are
The Queen passed away at the age of 96. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein, Pool, File)

Some fans have expressed their disappointment on social media, saying the event could have been a "celebration of life".

The monarch's death was announced on Thursday evening (8 September), with Buckingham Palace announcing that she had "died peacefully at Balmoral".

Robbie Williams performs at half-time during the Soccer Aid for UNICEF match at The London Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday June 12, 2022.
Robbie Williams was due to perform at the event. (PA)

TV channels have altered broadcasts in the wake of her death, with some programmes being cancelled and special tributes airing.

Coronation Street and Emmerdale were among the soaps affected and on Friday (9 September), ITV dropped daytime shows This Morning, Loose Women and Lorraine from its schedule to make way for news programmes.

Read more: Jeremy Clarkson praises Boris Johnson's 'beautiful words' for Queen

The Queen's death triggered an outpouring of grief across the world, with stars such as Piers Morgan, Sir Elton John and Dame Helen Mirren among those paying tribute.

Watch: MPs come together and give emotional tributes to the Queen