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Take That tipped for Wembley tribute to Diana
By Alexa Baracaia, Evening Standard 03.04.07
Invitation: Joss Stone will mark the 10th anniversary of Diana's death
Never Forget: The princes would like That Take to perform by the princes
Old favourite: rock stalwart Rod Stewart
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Take That, Keane and Rod Stewart are among the stars tipped to play this summer's Concert for Diana.
Organisers hope they will perform with confirmed acts Kanye West, Joss Stone, Sir Elton John and Bryan Ferry at the event marking the 10th anniversary of the Princess of Wales's death.
Other definite names include the English National Ballet, Duran Duran and Pharrell Williams. Bryan Adams and James Morrison are also being touted as possible additions. The concert will be held at Wembley Stadium on 1 July, which would have been the Princess's birthday.
Princes William and Harry, who are overseeing the show, are reported to be eager to sign Take That after hearing how much the band thought of their mother.
The band's Mark Owen has said: "Princess Diana was such an amazing woman. I think it's lovely the princes want to do something to remember her." A spokesman for the band today said they had not yet been formally signed up. But he admitted: "That's not to say they won't be in the future."
Rod Stewart, a favourite of Diana's, and Keane are also possible, although they too have yet to be confirmed.
To mark the Princess's love of dance and musicals, there will be an appearance by the English National Ballet, while Andrew Lloyd Webber will present a medley of songs from his shows.
A memorial service will be held on the actual anniversary of her death, 31 August, but the princes said they wanted the concert because the service alone was not enough.
"The main purpose is to celebrate and to remember her in a fun way," said 24-year-old William. "We wanted to have this big concert full of energy, full of the sort of fun and happiness which I know she would have wanted."
Sir Elton, who sang a reworked version of Candle In The Wind at her funeral in 1997, is said to be considering singing it again for the first time in 10 years.
Performers will waive fees for the event and money raised will go to the Diana Memorial Fund as well as Sentebale, the charity Harry set up in her memory, and homelessness charity Centrepoint, of which William is patron.
Tickets for the event sold out in 20 minutes in December, with many being resold for up to five times their £45 face value.
Who's appearing
Confirmed
Kanye West
Joss Stone
Pharrell Williams
Sir Elton John
Duran Duran
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Bryan Ferry
The English National Ballet
Possible
Take That
Rod Stewart
Keane
Bryan Adams
James Morrison
Meat Loaf
Orson
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Reader views (5)
Have the tickets already been on sale for this event?
- Gemma, Manchester
Let's hope her English accent finds it's way back to her by then!
- Victoria, Edinburgh
I think there should be more strong female artists playing, I'd love to see Diana Ross and Beyonce both performing. This is bound to be the gig of 2007, no matter what!
- Lucy, East London
What a fantastic night this will be! The current line up looks amazing but I'd also love to see someone like Oasis to really liven up the night! Really looking forward to seeing this!
- Oscar, Wembley
I would love to see George Michael performing at this concert and also Ronan Keating too. It's good that it will have a good cross of artists who will entertain everyone from young to old.
- Liz, Clapham
