Pop icon Rick Astley will host a special New Year's Eve live show on the BBC this year to celebrate the end of 2023 and bring in 2024.
The 57-year-old, most known for his 1987 track Never Gonna Give You Up, will be the front for a BBC One event. Rick will appear live from 11.30pm on Sunday, December 31.
Speaking ahead of the show, Rick said that it has always been a "New Year's ritual" to watch the annual show. He added: "It’s always been part of my New Year’s ritual to watch the show and take in the amazing fireworks, so to be part of it this year is fantastic. Here’s to a great night."
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Rick will present the show titled New Year’s Eve Rocks from the Roundhouse in Camden, London, and will perform some of his hit songs, as well as a selection of the nation’s beloved classics.
Jonathan Rothery, head of BBC pop music TV, said: “Our annual New Year’s Eve performances on BBC One are about bringing some of the biggest names in music to people’s homes, wherever they are in the UK.
“The last few years have seen performances from Sam Ryder in 2022, Olly Alexander, Kylie, Pet Shop Boys in 2021 and Alicia Keys in 2020 and I’m so pleased to be able to announce that Rick Astley – who has had a fantastic 2023 so far – will be soundtracking the celebrations this year.
“It’s a brilliant way to round off another fantastic year of live performances on the BBC.”
Who is appearing on the show?
Rick will be joined by singer Sharleen Spiteri, who formed rock band Texas in 1986 in Glasgow, and This Morning and BBC Radio 2 star Rylan Clark.
Meanwhile, London-based vocal group House Gospel Choir, which debuted at the Glastonbury festival in 2014, will also feature.
How to watch the show
Viewers can either watch the show on their small screen live on BBC One at 11.30pm. Otherwise they can watch it on their phone or smart device at the same time via BBC iPlayer.
