Leyland's Music in the Park 2024 line-up confirmed in full including Jason Donovan, Billy Ocean, Heather Small and Bez

Jason Donovan, Billy Ocean and Heather Small are set to perform at a music festival in Lancashire next month.

The legendary singers are among the headline acts for Leyland's Music in the Park. They will entertain the crowds in Worden Park on Sunday, May 26.

Celebrating 40 years since the release of his studio album ‘Suddenly’ and top of the bill is Billy Ocean, whose record sales exceed 30 million with hits including Red Light Spells Danger, Love Really Hurts Without You, When The Going Gets Tough, and the Grammy award-winning Caribbean Queen. Music In The Park, which returns for the third year, is set in the stunning 60-acre grounds of Worden Park, and is still on a high after scooping Best Small Event of the Year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards.

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Organisers say VIP tickets have already sold out and festival goers are being urged to book early to avoid disappointment. Neighbours' heartthrob Jason Donovan, who’s currently wowing crowds in Sydney in the Rocky Horror Show, will bring his blockbuster hits to the stage as the party gets in full swing while fans favourite Heather Small performs chart-toppers including Proud, Search For A Hero, One Night In Heaven and Moving On Up.

Speaking from Australia, Jason said: "Hey everyone I’m so excited to be playing at Music In The Park in Leyland, Lancashire, on May 26 – I can’t wait to see you there. Bring on the summer"

The marathon all-day event features 10 hours of performances from the likes of Walking On Sunshine singer Katrina, Toyah, Sonia, Angie Brown and Manchester 90s favourites Bez and Rowetta. National DJ Pat Sharp will be entertaining the crowds with his 80s v 90s DJ set, with more live music from Brother Beyond’s Nathan Moore and Lancashire favourites Boomin’.

Music In The Park sees a partnership between South Ribble Borough Council and local company UK Media & Events that’s run by festival promoter Danny Bee, known to many from his time on Lancashire’s Rock FM breakfast show.

Danny said: "I’m thrilled to have such a great line-up of artists together all on one stage performing all the songs that I’ve played on the radio all my life and I know the public love. It was really important to us that the festival was affordable this year as families are feeling the pinch so the audience will get over 10 artists for the ticket price of just £50, one of the most reasonably priced festivals in the UK this summer.

"There’s a fully licensed bar, food stalls, festival attractions and, best of all, you don’t have to get up for work the next day, what could be better."

Cllr Paul Foster, leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: "Music in the Park is getting bigger and better every year. It’s an incredible event and I’m so pleased we’re able to attract such brilliant performers to South Ribble."

Research revealed that the 2023 festival generated nearly a quarter of a million pounds of additional revenue for the local economy of South Ribble.