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BBC Radio 2 cancels Live In Leeds following Queen’s death

By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 12 September 2022

BBC Radio 2 has announced that it has cancelled its upcoming Live In Leeds event, following the death of the Queen. The event was due to take place on Saturday and Sunday this week, including a headline performance from Robbie Williams with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

In a statement, the radio station 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 17 and Sunday 18 Sep. Ticketholders will be issued with refunds via the ticketing provider”.

Due to take part at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds, other performers booked for the event included Simple Minds, Tears For Fears, Nile Rodgers & Chic, George Ezra, Melanie C, Craig David, Emeli Sandé, Bananarama, Ella Henderson, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Olly Murs and Kaiser Chiefs.

Although the UK government – via the Cabinet Office – has confirmed that there is “no obligation” to cancel or postpone events during the official period of national mourning that will be in place until two days after the state funeral of the Queen next week, numerous music and sporting events have nonetheless been pulled in recent days.

The Mercury Prize ceremony – which was about to start as the announcement of the Queen’s death was made on Thursday – was postponed at the last minute, while the BBC also announced that the final shows in this year’s Proms programme – which was due to run until 10 Sep – would no longer go ahead.

Elsewhere, the English Premier League and Football League also postponed last weekend’s fixtures, and the BBC announced that it would not broadcast any comedy shows for twelve days, during the official mourning period.

It was confirmed last week that the Queen’s funeral will be held at Westminster Abbey in London on Monday 19 Sep.