HOGMANAY: THE PARTY OF THE YEAR IS TO BECOME A PERFECT DAY

BBC PRESS OFFICE
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/11_november/17/hogmanay_perfect.shtml
17 NOVEMBER 2003

BBC Scotland’s production team for Hogmanay Live - which goes out to the network for this New Year - have signed up a host of stars to sing a celebrity version of Auld Lang Syne.

The BBC ONE show, hosted by Hamish Clark - Duncan from Monarch of the Glen - and Jackie Bird, of Reporting Scotland, will join the crowds on Princes Street singing Auld Lang Syne at precisely three minutes past midnight.

And the revellers on the streets will be joined onscreen by some of the biggest names in British showbusiness.

They include Bruce Forsyth, Melanie C, Leslie Grantham, Shane Ritchie, Mark Owen, Basil Brush, Linda Barker, Rolf Harris, David Dickinson, Lorraine Kelly, Chris Moyles, Eamonn Holmes, Fearne Cotton, Alex Parks, Phillip Schofield, Jenni Falconer and Ainsley Harriott.

Representatives from Coronation Street and Holby City have also been signed up for the specially recorded rendition.

Throughout the programme there will be live sections from Edinburgh, where comedian Craig Hill will be the television host.

Producer Alison Black said: “We are getting more offers to take part every day. It is going to be difficult just incorporating everyone, but we’ve got a great cross section of celebrities already.

“There seems to be a real buzz about it.

“As well as that coming together, we’ve also got the offbeat pairing of Hamish Clark and Jackie Bird.

“Viewers in Scotland are familiar with Jackie at Hogmanay, but Hamish, who is very different from his Duncan persona, may well be a revelation to viewers across the country.”