The BBC’s five popular music stations will come together in a multiway simulcast at 9am this Thursday, with each station bringing along one song that they think the public will love to join in with, wherever they are.
Greg James will be leading the singalong on Radio 1 with Dermot O’Leary (who is covering for Zoe Ball) on Radio 2, Lauren Laverne on 6 Music, Dotty on 1Xtra, and Harpz Kaur on the Asian Network. Ahead of Thursday morning, each station will be asking their listeners which track they should bring to the singalong, but the final song choices will lie with each of the presenters.
Greg James says: “Nothing brings people together quite like radio does. It’s been a great comfort for me to have a focus during this extraordinary time. I’m so glad the listeners find what we’re currently doing a useful distraction as well. I can’t wait to annoy all the 6 Music listeners with my choice.”
Dermot O’Leary says: “Warm up your vocal chords everyone – and get ready to join me, Greg, Lauren, Dotty and Harpz for a sing song on Thursday at 9am. And don’t forget to send me your brilliant suggestions for uplifting songs that Radio 2 can bring to the table!”
Lauren Laverne says: “I’m so glad that as radio presenters we can continue to unite and entertain listeners during such a challenging time and what better way to bring people together than a singalong? I hope you’ll join us on Thursday – and I look forward to hearing your suggestions. I know they will be fabulous.”
Dotty says: “Few things bring us together in the way that music does so I hope the national singalong can play some small part in reinforcing that real sense of community that has and will continue to carry us through the most difficult of times. I look forward to lifting the nation’s spirits with these shared anthems on Thursday.”
Harpz Kaur says: “So excited to be teaming up with the rest of the stations to play some massive tunes out on Thursday morning! I’m 100% going to be singing my heart out in the studio and I can’t wait to see which five tracks we end up with.”
Lorna Clarke, Controller, BBC Popular Music, says: “In these challenging times, we know that many people have been turning to radio as a lifeline. The live broadcasts from our amazing presenters are providing people with a sense of community and some much-needed escapism at a time where many of us are feeling distant from our loved ones. We’ll be keeping that spirit up on Thursday morning as all our pop music stations come together in what is sure to be a very special moment.”
All the presenters will be broadcasting from their own, separate studios.
Listeners can join in with all the action on Thursday morning by tuning in to any of the five stations from 9am, on the radio or on BBC Sounds, and by sharing their efforts on social media using the tag #UKSingalong.
